Mahmoud Fathallah converted a controversial penalty to hand Zamalek a precious 1-0 victory at Ghazl Mahalla on Monday. The victory, their 11th under Hossam Hassan's management, helped Zamalek cement their position in second place on 46 points. Mahalla remain 12th on 27 points, only three off the danger zone. Zamalek boss Hossam Hassan handed a rare start to midfielder Ahmed Abdul-Raouf, amid the suspensions of Hassan Mostafa and Ibrahim Salah. Mahalla were without striker Ahmed Hassan Farag, who is serving a three-match suspension. Shikabala was the first to have a shot on target when his 13th minute freekick was parried by goalkeeper Ibrahim Farag. Seconds later, Ahmed Gaafar won a clever penalty after he had beaten Mahalla's poor offside trap to go one on one with Farag, who hardly made contact with the Zamalek striker. The referee pointed to the spot and Fathallah sent the keeper the wrong way to score against his old club for the second season in a row. Hussein Yasser tried his luck from 25 yards, but his ambitious effort went inches wide on the half-hour mark.
