
Photo credit: Al Ahly SC
Al Ahly returned to winning ways in dramatic fashion after securing a late 2-1 victory over Smouha at Cairo International Stadium in the second round of the Nile Egyptian League title phase, keeping their championship hopes firmly alive.
The Red Devils made a strong start and opened the scoring in the 24th minute through Mahmoud Hassan “Trezeguet.” Ahmed Sayed Zizo delivered a precise corner kick into the penalty area, where Trezeguet powered a header past the Smouha goalkeeper and gave Al Ahly a 1-0 lead.
Smouha responded just before halftime with a superb equalizer from Samuel Amadi. The forward collected the ball on the edge of the area and curled a brilliant left-footed strike into the far corner beyond Mostafa Shobeir, making it 1-1 before the break.
With the match heading toward a draw, Al Ahly pushed for a winner and found it in stoppage time. In the second minute of added time, substitute Taher Mohamed Taher became the hero, meeting Mohamed Hany’s cross with a header inside the box to seal a dramatic late victory.
The win gives the defending champions three crucial points, taking their tally to 44 points and keeping them level with Pyramids in second place in the Nile Egyptian League title standings.
Pyramids had earlier dropped points in a 1-1 draw against Al Masry, leaving the title race wide open as the competition enters a decisive stage.
| Rank | Team | Played | Total Points |
| 1 | Zamalek SC | 21 | 46 |
| 2 | Pyramids FC | 21 | 44 |
| 3 | Al Ahly SC | 22 | 44 |
| 4 | Ceramica Cleopatra | 22 | 40 |
| 5 | ENPPI | 22 | 34 |
| 6 | Al Masry | 22 | 33 |
| 7 | Smouha SC | 22 | 31 |
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