Al Ahly head coach Pitso Mosimane masterminded a 5-3 thrashing over Zamalek in a thrilling Cairo Derby on Friday evening as they romped back to the summit of the Egyptian Premier League.
The South African coach maintained his unbeaten streak in the fierce rivalry with his third win from four games as they inflicted a heavy defeat on the White Knights.
It was the first time in 10 years fans were present in a league Cairo derby and they were treated to an absolute spectacle with the eight-goal thriller.
An own goal from Zamalek goalkeeper Mohamed Abdou Gabal, Mohamed Sherif, an Aliou Dieng stunner and a brace via two penalties from Ali Maaloul saw the Red Devils ease past Patrice Carteron’s side.
Mostafa Fathi’s stunning strike to make it 3-1, Ahmed Sayed’s 80th-minute penalty and Achraf Bencharki’s stoppage-time third did little to soften the blow for the home side.
The Red Devils led 3-0 at the break with last season’s top scorer Sherif’s scoring the pick of the bunch as he was teed up for a tap-in by midfielder Amr El Solia with a rabona assist.
Defeat for the champions leaves them in fifth place after three games played while the Club of the Century moves back to the top of the table ahead of Pyramids – the only other side with a 100% record in the 2021/22 campaign.
Zamalek: Mohamed Abou Gabal; Hamza El-Mathlouthi, Mahmoud Alaa, Mahmoud Hamdy El-Wensh, Ahmed Fattouh, Tarek Hamed, Emam Ashour, Youssef Obama, Ahmed Sayed Zizo, Achraf Benchraki, Omar El-Said.
Ahly: Mohamed El Shenawy, Ali Maaloul, Akram Tawfik, Ayman Ashraf, Badr Benoun, Aliou Dieng, Hamdy Fathy, Amr El Soulia, Mohamed Sherif, Percy Tau, Magdy Afsha.
