Two stoppage-time headers helped Zamalek avoid a fourth successive 0-0 draw with a late win against 10-man Smouha in the Egyptian Premier League on Saturday, ending what outspoken chairman Mortada Mansour termed as “black magic”.
Burly striker Bassem Morsi, who replaced the ineffective Khaled Qamar in the second half, headed home three minutes into the injury time to spark wild celebrations among his teammates and the technical staff members, who were relieved Zamalek had finally broken their duck after drawing a blank in three 0-0 league stalemates.
Playmaker Moemen Zakareya, who set up Morsi for the precious goal, powered in another header before the final whistle to give Zamalek their second win of the season after they hammered Talae El-Geish 6-1 in their opening game.
The result gives Portuguese coach Jaime Pacheco a winning start after he replaced Hossam Hassan with the aim of restoring the battered pride of Zamalek, who have not won the Premier League since 2004, with arch-rivals Ahly claiming four titles in a row.
Zamalek had to work hard for the win, having been once again profligate, squandering a hatful of goal-scoring opportunities. They were helped by the 60th-minute red card given to Smouha striker Hani El-Egeizi for catching an opponent in the face with a flailing hand.
They moved to sixth place in the table with nine points, three behind leaders Maqassa who played a game more. Last season’s runners-up Smouha, who have recently appointed Frenchman Denis Lavagne as their new coach, continued their poor run as they lie ninth with seven points from six matches.
Match Facts:
Scorer: Bassem Morsy 90+2, Moemen Zakareya 90+5
Red card:
Hany El-Egeizy (Smouha)
Yellow cards
Ayman Hefny (Zamalek)
Hazem Emam (Zamalek)
Hesham Shehata (Smouha)
Hossam Ghaly (Smouha)
Starting lineups:
Zamalek: Ahmed El-Shennawy – Omar Gaber, Ali Gabr, Mohamed Koffi, Ahmed Samir (Mostafa Fathy 84) – Ibrahim Salah, Tarek Hamed, Moemen Zakareya, Hazem Emam (Ahmed Eid 67), Ayman Hefny – Khaled Kamar (Bassem Morsy 56).
Smouha: Mohamed Sobhy – Hesham Shehata, El-Sayed Farid, Ahmed Said “Okka”, Mostafa Talaat – Ibrahim Abdel-Khaleq (Hesham Fathallah 80), Ahmed Nabil “Manga”, Hossam Ghaly, Mohamed Maged (Ahmed Homos 73), Alaa Ali (Salah Amin 71) – Hany El-Egeizy
Venue: Air Defence Stadium
Referee: Mohamed El-Hanafi
