Outgoing manager Mohamed Helmi failed to leave Zamalek on a high note in his last game in charge after they slumped to a 2-0 away league defeat to rivals Smouha in the Egyptian league on Saturday, dealing a crushing blow to their fading title hopes. Two first-half goals from ex-Zamalek striker Ahmed Hassan Mekki and former Ahly midfielder Ahmed Nabil 'Manga' condemned the Whites to their fourth league defeat. Leaders Ahly can increase their lead over their nemesis to 15 points, having played a game more, if they beat Dakhleya later in the day. The match has seen talented Zamalek winger Mostafa Fathi miss from the spot what could have been his side's equalizer, as the Cairo giants failed to find the net throughout. Zamalek, who still have a game in hand against Talae El-Geish, are now third of the league table level on 40 points with Smouha. They are also eight points behind second-placed Maqassa, who now look favourites to obtain the second qualifying ticket for next year's African Champions League. Disjointed Zamalek Zamalek appeared totally disorganized from the outset, and it was Smouha who signaled the first threat on goal through striker Ahmed Temsah who saw a strike from near the edge of the area blocked by keeper Gennesh in the 19th minute. It was four minutes later when another forward in Mekki gave his side the lead when he received the ball in space down the right before easily evading Islam Gamal and striking between keeper Gennesh's legs for the opener. Zamalek had the chance to get back into the game just two minutes later when ex-Smouha forward Hossam Salama was fouled by former Zamalek keeper Mohamed Abo-Gabal inside the area, only for the referee to point to the spot. Winger Mostafa Fathi, however, failed to convert from 12 yards - with keeper Abo-Gabal blocking his effort to keep a clean sheet. On the other end, Gennesh was called into action in the 38th minute to block what seemed to be an innocuous free kick that the shambolic Zamalek defense failed to clear. But the understudy keeper could not save Manga's forthcoming low shot from outside the area as the hosts went into the dressing rooms two-nil up. Zamalek slightly improved after the break, with the team showing better signs of ball-possession as they were able to create half-chances. Fathi tried his luck from distance but his effort narrowly went wide three minutes after the break before a through-on-goal striker Salama was denied by keeper Abo-Gabal four minutes later. The departing Helmi then introduced Mohamed Ibrahim, Ahmed Refaat and Bassem Morsi in an attempt to get back into the game, but his substitutions hardly paid off eventually succumbing to defeat in his last game in charge. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
