Zamalek vs Enppi. Photo courtesy of Enppi.
The White Knights took a significant stride towards a 15th Egyptian Premier League crown after edging Pyramids FC 1-0 at Cairo Stadium on Thursday.
The result marked their second successive win in the Big Seven and left them five points clear at the top on 49 points, with four matches remaining.
However, coach Moatamed Gamal dismissed suggestions that the title race is already over, stressing that the ENPPI match carries the same importance as the victory over Pyramids.
“We have a tough match against ENPPI in three days. We will focus on the next game before thinking about the summit clash,” Gamal told a news conference after the win.
Gamal’s caution reflects the challenge posed by the petroleum side, who handed Zamalek a 1-0 defeat in March, ending their eight-match winning streak on the final day of the first phase.
Zamalek are close to full strength, with Moroccan fullback Mahmoud Bentayg declared fit after missing the Pyramids match, although his participation will be decided by the technical staff.
Reports suggest he could be rested to ensure his readiness for the Cairo derby on the 1 st of May.
Defender Mohamed Ismael is suspended, with Mahmoud “El-Wench” Hamdi set to replace him in the heart of the defense.
Gamal is expected to retain his regular attacking trio of Oday Dabbagh, Nasser Mansy and Juan Bezzera.
The latter scored the winner against Pyramids FC, and the trio have combined for 17 of the team’s 37 league goals this season.
Zamalek will be keen to avoid a repeat of their earlier defeat to ENPPI and take another step towards the title, to gain a dose of confidence ahead of the Cairo derby.
ENPPI, fifth with 35 points, will hope to replicate their first-round success.
The side relies on a youthful squad, but their lack of experience was exposed in a heavy 4-0 defeat to Pyramids FC in the Egypt Cup semi-finals earlier this month.
With no chance of winning the title or securing a continental place, ENPPI are targeting the role of spoilers in the closing stages, with matches remaining against the league’s top three sides.
“We play without pressure and we are the team who will decide the title as we will face the three teams competing for it,” ENPPI president Ayman El-Sherai said.
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