A seventh minute penalty from Ahmed "Zizo" El-Sayed handed Zamalek a narrow win over Maqassa to go 18 points clear at the top after 27 games. The Whites now have 61 points ahead of second-placed Masry, who have 43 points, while defending champions Ahly are third with 41 points, but have played only 19 games. Zamalek got off to a blistering start as Zizo scored the opener after just seven minutes from the penalty spot after a handball by defender Essam Sobhi inside the box. Maqassa quickly regained their composure and pressed forward to get the equaliser. They gained possession of the ball but their attacking trio Shimelis Bekele, Paulin Voavy and Bassem Morsi could barely threaten keeper Mahmoud "Gennesh" Abdel-Rehim. Zamalek's pacy forwards were dangerous on the counter as they found plenty of space. Bencharki came close to doubling Zamalek's lead as he latched onto a long ball on the left side of the area to cut inside onto his right foot, but his powerful shot was well parried by keeper Mahmoud Hamdi. Just before the break, Tunisian striker Seifeddine Jaziri intercepted the ball behind the defence, but his pass went begging in front of the goal. The sides were evenly matched in the opening minutes of the second half. Zizo latched onto a long ball from Hamza Mathlouthi, but his shot was blocked by the keeper. At the other end, Bekele intercepted the ball behind the defence, but his poor attempt went next to the post. The hosts kept on trying but their only attempts on the goal came through long shots from Abdallah Magdi and Said El-Wensh that went wide. Zamalek will miss midfielder Emam Ashour and forward Youssef Obama against Ghazl El-Mahalla next week due to automatic suspension. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
