Al Ahly defeat Zamalek in 133rd Cairo derby to top Egyptian league

Al Ahly secured a deserved 1-0 win over rivals Zamalek in the 133rd Cairo derby, held on Sunday evening as part of the sixth round of the Egyptian Premier League. With this result, Al Ahly moved temporarily to the top of the table, while Zamalek dropped to third place after suffering their first defeat of the season.

Al Ahly dominated much of the match, while Zamalek struggled with key absences that impacted their performance. Observers noted that the first half was marked by excitement and attacking attempts from both sides, before Al Ahly managed to score the decisive goal just before halftime.

First half highlights

The match began with both teams showing caution, and Omar Gaber sustained an injury in the opening minutes. Both Al Ahly and Zamalek earned several corner kicks. In the sixth minute, Emam Ashour nearly gave Al Ahly the lead with a header that went just over the bar.

In the eighth minute, Zamalek's Tawfik Mohamed attempted a shot that sailed over the goal, while Moroccan forward Sofiane Benjdida missed a clear chance for Al Ahly in the ninth minute. The teams continued to trade attacking moves, with Al Ahly seeking to capitalize on their wing play, but the deadlock persisted until the closing moments of the first half, when Al Ahly finally found the net.