Zamalek have won their 13th Egyptian Premier League title after beating already-relegated El-Entag El-Harby 2-0 on Tuesday with one game to spare. Ahmed "Zizo" El-Sayed opened the scoring in the 6th minute and Achraf Bencharki doubled the score in the 88th minute to secure Zamalek's first league title in six years when they won the local double in 2015. The Whites have collected 79 points after 33 games making it mathematically impossible for defending champions Ahly to catch them with 73 points. The Red Devils were held to a 3-3 draw at Gouna. Zamalek have led the league standings for the last 17 rounds since beating NBE Club 4-1 on 26 April. The Cairo giants have showed constant progress after an early struggle that led to their exit from the CAF Champions League and the departure of Portuguese tactician Jaime Pacheco in March. With the return of Frenchman Patrice Carteron, who had been away on a short spell at Saudi side Al Taawoun, the team improved in every area. He reorganized his defense to make it impermeable as the team has conceded only 20 goals during this campaign, the lowest number of goals in the league, to extend a 22-game unbeaten run since 2 February 2021 when they've lost to Ghazl El-Mahalla 1-2. The individual prowess of forwards Moroccan winger Achraf Bencharki, who bagged 15 league goals, tireless forward Ahmed "Zizo" El-Sayed and veteran skipper Mahmoud "Shikabala" Abdel-Razek who is still terrifying defences at 36, has been devastating for opponents. The Whites clicked when it mattered the most as they moved up a gear in the final stretch going in an 8-match winning streak to leave Ahly trailing behind. Zamalek will next face National Bank of Egypt who will give the champions a guard of honor on Friday, in the last round of the league. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
