Al Ahly 2-1 Pyramids FC | Match Highlights | VIDEO
An injury-time screamer from Malian midfielder Aliou Dieng gave Ahly their first-ever win against Pyramids FC 2-1 on Thursday, maintaining their perfect league run.
New January signing Aliou Badji of Senegal canceled Ali Gabr’s 53rd lead in the 77th minute before Dieng fired the winner and his first goal for the club since joining them last summer.
The Red Devils lost their previous four matches against the former FC Assiouty side, who were taken over by rich gulf owners in June 2018, a poor run that stands in stark contrast to the history of Egypt and Africa’s most successful club.
Thursday’s win helped Ahly extend their winning run in the Egyptian League this season to 13 consecutive wins to lead the Premier League table with a maximum of 39 points, seven ahead of second-placed Arab Contractors, who played three games more.
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Despite a good start, where Ahly had a golden opportunity in the fourth minute with a close-range shot that was denied by the Pyramids FC keeper El Mahdi Soliman, the first-half was a drab affair as Ahly were dominant in terms of possession but without posing a real threat.
The second half was different. Against the run of the game, unmarked defender Ali Gabr met a pinpoint corner cross from Eslam Issa with a nice header to put the hosts ahead.
On the hour-mark, Ahly’s coach Rene Weiler made two substitutions, introducing Senegalese striker Aliou Badji and Walid Soliman at the expense of Marwan Mohsen and Mohamed “Afsha” Magdy respectively.
The duo made a quick impact as they improved Ahly ‘s offensive performance with their pace.
Ahly’s winger Hussein El-Shahat had a chance to level the score in the 73rd minute, but his close-range shot was denied by Soliman.
Four minutes later, Malian defender Dieng was on the rebound for a poor clearance from Pyramids FC’s defence, sending a shot that was deflected by Aliou Badji into the net.
Pyramids FC defender Ali Gabr had the chance to add the second but his well-placed header was brillantly denied by Ahly and Egypt keeper Mohamed El Shennawi.
In injury time, Ali Maaloul’s quickly taken corner kick reached Badji, who set up the ball for Dieng to fire the winner from inside the box.
After the goal, two Pyramids players were sent-off following arguments with the referee over the goal.
El-Shenawi came to the rescue yet again, denying a nice header from substitute striker Mohamed El-Gabbas to secure the win.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiUiN84vDz4
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