Substitute Gaafar gives Zamalek narrow league win

Zamalek secure a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Wadi Degla in a rescheduled Egyptian Premier League game on Saturday

Ahmed Gaafar came off the bench in the second half to give Zamalek a narrow 1-0 win over a brave Wadi Degla side in the Egyptian Premier League on Saturday.
The out-and-out striker converted a low cross from partner Razak Omotoyossi one minute past the hour mark to help Zamalek make up for their disappointing 1-1 draw with Petrojet in their previous game.
Zamalek also had to thank goalkeeper Abdel-Wahed El-Sayed for pulling off a string of impressive saves throughout the game to deny Degla on several occasions.
The match was originally scheduled to be played on the opening day of the season but was delayed following Degla's deadly bus crash.
Zamalek, who are chasing their first league title since 2004, are fourth in the 19-team league table with 23 points, five behind surprise leaders Haras El-Hodoud who played a game more. Degla lie 12th on 11 points.
Evenly-balanced half
An evenly-balanced first half saw both sides expose the gaps in the opposing defence.
Although central defender Mahmoud Fathallah returned to Zamalek's starting line-up to deputize for the injured Salah Soliman, the team's backline still looked shaky.
Lively playmaker Ashour El-Taqui could have given Degla an early lead when he was found unmarked by a superb cross from ex-Zamalek midfielder Mohamed Abdel-Wahed but his free header was saved by keeper Abdel-Wahed El-Sayed.
Zamalek's natural left-back Mohamed Abdel-Shafy, who unfamiliarly played as a central midfielder, was unlucky not to score at the other end on 18 minutes when his right-foot effort following a corner was cleared off the line by Degla's Mostafa Talaat.
El-Taqui, who continued to unsettle Zamalek's defence, was thwarted by El-Sayed once again when he exchanged passes with Syrian teammate Abdel-Fattah, escaped marker Fathallah and sent a left-foot volley which was blocked by the in-form custodian.
Abdel-Shafy and veteran midfielder Ahmed Hassan, who returned to Zamalek's starting line-up, tried their luck from distance few minutes before the break but could not break the deadlock.
Classic 4-4-2 formation
Fathallah almost put Zamalek in front three minutes after the restart when he was picked out by a free kick from Mahmoud Abdel-Razek ‘Shikabala' which Degla keeper failed to handle. However, his header crashed off the bar with the goal gaping.
Zamalek coach Hassan Shehata introduced Gaafar to partner Benin's Razak Omotoyossi upfront as the team switched to a classic 4-4-2 formation.
Shehata's tactical nous paid off in the 61st minute as Zamalek finally ended the resistance of Degla.
The combative Omotoyossi outpaced his marker on the left before sending in a low cross that eluded Degla's guardian Essam Mahmoud and found the towering Gaafar, who neatly flicked the ball into an empty net.
Degla piled on pressure in the latter stages to secure a share of spoils but were kept at bay by some stunning saves from El-Sayed.
The veteran keeper, who is yet to be recalled by new Egypt coach Bob Bradley, dived to his right to block a cunning free-kick from Mohamed El-Hossary before producing another superb one-handed save to thwart a shot from El-Taqui at the near post.
(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online sports on Twitter: @AO_Sports)