Nile League: Pyramids move back top; Ceramica Cleopatra win decisively in coach Maher’s debut

The 16th round of the Nile Egyptian League continued with three matches, producing a total of 12 goals in an action-packed day of football.

Pyramids regain top spot with away victory over Ittihad Alexandria

Pyramids FC reclaimed the top position in the Nile Egyptian League after securing a 3-1 away victory against Ittihad Alexandria.

Ibrahim Adel opened the scoring in the 46th minute of the first half with a strike that the Ittihad goalkeeper failed to handle, resulting in a costly error. This marked Adel’s third consecutive league match with a goal and extended his impressive form having contributed to six goals in his last six league appearances.

Mostafa Fathi doubled the lead for Pyramids in the 56th minute from the penalty spot while Fiston Mayele added a third in the 77th minute with a left-footed shot. Immediately after, Nigerian forward Emmanuel Apeh pulled one back for Ittihad Alexandria with a close-range finish inside the box.

This victory marks Pyramids’ seventh consecutive league win, extending their unbeaten streak to 17 matches, including 15 wins.

Current Standings

1st – Pyramids (39 points) – 3 points ahead of Al Ahly

12th – Ittihad Alexandria (18 points)

Dream start for new coach Ali Maher as Ceramica Cleopatra crushes Petrojet

Former Al Masry gaffer Ali Maher made a perfect start to life as head coach of Ceramica Cleopatra, leading his team to a 4-1 victory over Petrojet.

Islam Issa put Ceramica ahead in the 8th minute after breaking free for a one-on-one with the goalkeeper. However, Ismail Bamba equalized just two minutes later with a header from a corner delivered by Rashad Metwally.

Mahmoud Zalaka restored Ceramica’s lead in the 36th minute with a header to take his tally to six league goals this season, three behind top scorer Emam Ashour of Al Ahly (9 goals).

Algerian midfielder Ahmed Kendouci added a third goal in the 39th minute, finishing from inside the box after a low cross from a free-kick by Islam Issa. New signing Mohamed Reda Bobo sealed the victory in the 82nd minute, converting a cross from Zalaka into an empty net.

This result ended Ceramica Cleopatra’s five-game winless streak and secured their qualification for the final championship round before the last match of the first phase.

Meanwhile, Petrojet is winless in their last six league matches.

Current Standings

6th – Ceramica Cleopatra (24 points) – Secured a top-nine finish

11th – Petrojet (19 points)

Ghazl El Mahalla secure win over ENPPI

Ghazl El Mahalla earned a 3-0 home victory over ENPPI in the early match.

Tunisian forward Mohamed Ali Ben Hamouda opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, heading in a cross from Yehia Zakaria. Abdo Yehia doubled the lead in first-half stoppage time, scoring his first goal in 11 matches with a well-placed finish inside the box.

Ahmed Fawzi sealed the win in the 80th minute with a left-footed shot. The match also saw Ahmed Nader Hawash miss a penalty for ENPPI in the 90th minute, hitting the post.

This victory marked Ghazl El Mahalla’s third win in their last five matches and their third consecutive home victory.

Current Standings

13th – Ghazl El Mahalla (17 points)

17th – ENPPI (12 points)

League Table (through 16 matches)