Zamalek forward Ahmed Eid controls the ball during Ittihad of Alexandria game (Photo: Ahram)
Zamalek cemented their position at the top of the Egyptian league table with an easy 2-0 win over Ittihad of Alexandria.
The White Knights are on 54 points; four ahead of second placed ENPPI, who have played one game more, and are eight points clear from archrivals Ahly, who claimed a difficult win over Damanhour earlier in the day.
Determined to bounce back from their disappointing goalless draw against FUS in the Confederation Cup, Zamalek entered the game in style threatening Ittihad’s net several times.
It was Omar Gaber who gave Zamalek the lead in the 15th minute. The 22-year-old eased past two challengers before scoring with a nice shot.
Despite dominating possession, the White Knights struggled to create any goal-scoring opportunities during the rest of the first half.
It was the visitors who threatened Zamalek, as Ittihad attacking midfielder Akram Abd-Rabou squandered two golden-scoring opportunities.
His header landed wide just of Zamalek’s goal before sending another one that struck the bar on the 30th minute.
Ittihad striker Mohamed Hamdi was also close to scoring the equaliser after intercepting the ball from Zamalek’s defender Eslam Gamal, though his effort missed the net.
Zamalek completely dominated the second half after an intervention from Jesualdo Ferreira, who introduced defensive midfielder Tarek Hamed and lively winger Moustafa Fathi at the expense of Maarouf Yussuf.
Bassem Morsi added the second goal for the league leaders 20 minutes after the break with a sharp header as a result of a very accurate cross from Ahmed Samir, who returned to action after four months of absence.
Zamalek continued their domination of the rest of the game but their strikers failed to convert possession into goals.
The Cairo giants, who are looking for their first league title since 2004, will face Harras El-Hodoud in Alexandria on Monday.
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