Video: Al Ahly struggles continue with draw against ENPPI in Nile Egyptian League

Al Ahly’s poor start to the Nile Egyptian League showed no signs of improving as they were held to a 1-1 draw by ENPPI in the sixth round on Sunday night. The result leaves the Cairo giants languishing in the bottom half of the table despite the recent appointment of Emad El-Nahhas as interim head coach.

The Red Devils looked on course for a much-needed victory when Mahmoud Trezeguet headed home a pinpoint cross from Mohamed Hany in the 35th minute. But ENPPI fought back strongly and equalized midway through the second half, with Ahmed El-Agouz converting from the penalty spot in the 65th minute.

Earlier, Al Ahly suffered a setback when star midfielder Ahmed Mostafa Zizo was forced off in the 26th minute after aggravating muscle problem, with Taher Mohamed Taher coming on as his replacement.

The game also witnessed drama before half-time as goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shennawy was initially shown a red card for a last-man challenge, only for VAR to intervene and downgrade the decision to a yellow card.

ENPPI thought they had found a late winner through Rafiq Kabou in the 86th minute, but the Tunisian’s strike was correctly ruled out for offside.

The draw means Al Ahly have now collected just six points from their opening five matches, sitting a lowly 15th in the standings. ENPPI, meanwhile, climbed to seventh with nine points.

It marks one of Al Ahly’s worst league starts in their history: just one win, three draws, and one defeat from their first five fixtures, with a bye in one of the opening rounds.

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