VIDEO: Zamalek beats Ittihad 2-1 | Mayuka Scores
Zamalek registered a 2-1 win over Ittihad of Alexandria on Monday in an Egyptian Premier League match, which saw Zambian striker Emmanuel Mayuka open his account with the Whites.
Upon winning the match, the defending champions narrowed to two points the gap with league leaders and arch-rivals Ahly, who are on top with 40 points and are facing Masry on Tuesday.
Ittihad midfielder Ashour El-Adham brought the score level ten minutes later with an unstoppable shot from outside the area.
After Zamalek intensified their attacks, winger Mahmoud ‘Kahraba’ Abdel-Moneam scored the winner just before the break, thanks to another accurate pass from Hefny.
The title holders were close to scoring the third on several occasions in the second half.
Ten minutes from the hour mark, Hazem Emam and Omar Gaber wasted a scoring opportunity each.
Kahraba, who has scored seven goals for Zamalek so far this season, saw his neat header cleared off the line by Ittihad defender Mahmoud Bazouka.
Ittihad retaliated and threatened Zamalek a couple of times, but to no avail.
An effort from Herman Kouao was denied by the bar, before Zamalek keeper Mahmoud Abdel-Rehim blocked Youssef ‘Obama’ Ibrahim ‘s close-range header with a stunning reflex.
Match Facts
FT: Zamalek 2-1 Ittihad of Alexandria
Goals By: Emmanuel Mayuka 7, Mahmoud Kahraba 45 / Ashour El-Adham 21
Yellow cards
Ayman Hefni (Zamalek)
Hamada Tolba (Zamalek)
Ashour El-Adham (Ittihad of Alexandria)
Mostafa Gaber (Ittihad of Alexandria)
Starting line ups:
Zamalek: Mahmoud Abdel-Rehim- Hamada Tolba, Mohamed Koffi, Ahmed Dewidar, Hazem Emam – Marouf Youssef, Ahmed Tawfik (Ramzi Khaled 79), Omar Gaber, Ayman Hefni (Mahmoud Shikabala 74), Mahmoud Kahraba, Emmanuel Mayuka (Bassem Morsi 70)
Ittihad of Alexandria: El-Hani Soliman, Abdel-Rahman Farouq, Amr Nabil, Mohamed Bazouka, Mohamed Samir, Ahmed El-Alfy, Ashour El-Adham, Hani said (Mohamed Shaarawi 84), Mahmoud Farag (Mostafa Gaber 69), Hermann Kouao, Youssef Obama (Karim Manch 83)
Venue: Petro Sport stadium (Cairo)
