Al Ahly lose to Enppi in Egypt League Cup opener

Al Ahly stumbled to a disappointing 1-0 defeat against Enppi at Al Salam Stadium in their opening match of Group A in the Egypt Capital Cup (League Cup).

The Petroleum side grabbed the decisive goal in the 29th minute after earning a penalty when left-back Mohamed Shokry committed a foul against Ali Mahmoud inside the box. Mohamed Hamdi stepped up and coolly converted the spot-kick with a Panenka finish, giving Enppi a lead.

Al Ahly thought they had restored parity early in the second half. Ahmed Reda found the net following a cross from Aliou Dieng, but referee Mohamed Marouf overturned the goal after consulting the VAR team, ruling the Malian midfielder offside in the build-up.

Danish head coach Jess Thorup introduced several young talents after the break, including Hamza Abdelkarim, Omar Sayed Moawad and Ibrahim El-Asyouti. The young players added energy, but Enppi held firm even after going down to ten men in the 79th minute, when Ali Mahmoud received a second yellow card for a heavy challenge on Abdelkarim.

The win lifts Enppi to 3 points and into third place in Group A, behind Tala’ea El Gaish and Pharco on goal difference.

Al Ahly, meanwhile, stay rooted to the bottom half of the standings with zero points, sitting sixth—just behind Arab Contractors on goal difference.

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