Zamalek coach Motamed Gamal. Photo: CAF
Achraf Bencharki scored twice and assisted Hussein El Shahat as Ahly swept aside their rivals at Cairo International Stadium, throwing the title race wide open.
“We played a bad game against Ahly, and the result was even worse. We didn’t expect this outcome, but that’s football,” Gamal said in the post-match press conference.
“We made too many mistakes. We controlled the midfield from the start, but with Ahly’s first real attacking move, they scored, and that affected us for the remainder of the match,” he added.
The result leaves Zamalek top of the table on 50 points, level with Pyramids FC but ahead on head-to-head record, while Ahly climb to third place on 47 points.
“We have felt pressure since the start of the league. We must put today’s loss behind us, as there are still six points to secure the title,” he said.
“We will stay strong and fight until the end,” the Zamalek coach concluded.
Zamalek will face Smouha on Tuesday, with no margin for error as they look to keep their title hopes alive.
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