Ghanaian striker Benjamin Acheampong scored twice on his first Zamalek start to help the club snap a three-match winless run with a 2-0 victory at Ittihad of Alexandria in the Egyptian Premier League on Wednesday. The much-needed win, which came after two losses and a draw in Zamalek's previous three matches, grants Montenegrin coach Nebojsa Jovovic a reprieve after the club initially said he would leave. Acheampong, who joined Zamalek in the summer from Dakhleya, repaid Jovovic's faith with a well-taken double either side of the interval, including a first-minute opener. Zamalek had goalkeeper Ahmed El-Shennawi to thank for a series of superb stops in the latter stages. They also had several goal-scoring chances of their own but their forwards were profligate. The White Knights are fourth in the league table with 22 points, nine behind leaders Ismaily who played one match more. Ittihad, who re-appointed Spaniard Juan Maqueda as their new boss, lie third from bottom on 13 points. Early goal It took Benjamin Acheampong 51 seconds to open his account, sending a glancing header into the bottom corner after a cross from Syrian left-back Moayad Ajan found him unmarked. Despite taking an early lead, Zamalek struggled to string passes together and were largely sluggish going into the final third, with Ittihad gaining the upper hand. A bouncing acrobatic effort from Ittihad forward Mohamed Nagi went just over in the 16th minute and Ahmed El-Alfi could only send a tame volley that was blocked by Zamalek keeper El-Shennawi 11 minutes later as a diagonal cross eluded central defender Ali Gabr. Acheampong scored against the run of play in the 57th minute to complete a personal double and leave Ittihad with an uphill to climb. He raced onto a fine chipped pass from talented winger Ahmed Madbouli and beat the keeper at his near post with a composed finish. There was a flurry of late chances for both sides, who were wasteful in front of goal. Substitutes Mohamed El-Shami and Kabongo Kasongo were thwarted in one-on-ones while Ittihad were guilty of spurning a couple of clear-cut chances at the other end, including a scuffed shot from striker Hossam Paolo with the goal at his mercy. El-Shennawi also pulled off some superb saves in stoppage time, including one which saw him dive to his right to block a goal-bound shot from Fawzi El-Hennawi. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
