Egyptian Premier League: Al Ahly Earns 0-0 Draw With Pyramids
By: David David Demaria/ Arab America Contributing Writer
On Sunday night at Cairo International Stadium, 2019-20 Egyptian Premier League Champions Al Ahly took on Cairo rivals Pyramids club in a late season clash to help determine who would finish second and third in the league table.
It was a rough start for Al Ahly as striker Mahmoud Kahraba left the game with a thigh injury ten minutes in, leaving the Reds with only 10 men.
The bad news didn’t stop there. In the 40th minute midfielder, Amr El Solia was sent off with a red card after elbowing Pyramids midfielder Mahmoud Hamada.
Just three minutes prior, Pyramids thought they had taken a 1-0 lead off the boot of defender Ahmed Ayman Mansour, but the goal was ruled off due to offsides after the VAR review.
Just before halftime, Al-Ahly would have a golden opportunity to take the lead but midfielder Mohamed Magdy Afsha’s penalty strike was kept out by Pyramids goalkeeper El Mahdy Soliman.
In the second half, Pyramids had chances to grab the lead. Late in the game, Mohamed Dodo El Gabbas nearly secured the win for his side but his header went just wide of Al Ahly keeper Ali Lotfi.
Al Ahly had two dangerous chances through striker Hussein El Shahat and Afsha, but neither player was able to capitalize.
Al Ahly have already secured the top place in the league and the their 42nd Egyptian Premier League title. Meanwhile, with the draw, Pyramidsmoves into third place behind Zamalek SC who could lock up second place with a victory over Haras El Hodood on Monday.
South African manager Pitso Mosimane is off to an undefeated start with Al Ahly since taking over at the helm last month. The match against Pyramids was supposed to be his toughest challenge with the club to date but he passed with flying colors considering the harsh circumstances of playing with 10 men for a majority of the match.
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