Mahmoud Abdul-Razeq 'Shikabala' notched home in the second-half to lead Zamalek to a hard-fought 1-0 victory over ENPPI in the Egyptian League on Thursday. The victory put Zamalek in fourth place of the league table with nine points, just one adrift of leaders Al-Gaish while ENPPI lie 11th on just four points. Islam Awad produced an early scare when his right-footed shot from the edge of the area went just wide of the post. The talented winger bothered Zamalek's defense with his penetration in the first 15 minutes. However, Ahmed Ghanem managed to hold him off. ENPPI's Ivorian striker Vincent Die Foneye could have put his side ahead but his close-range header was blocked by Zamalek keeper Mohamed Abdul-Monsef. Shikabala almost broke the deadlock when he was released by Amr Zaki's deft pass. The winger went through on goal and rounded the keeper but overran into a tight position and, consequently, couldn't control the ball. ENPPI had a golden opportunity shortly after when Beshir Al-Tabie's slip allowed Salah Ashour to pounce and go clear. Abdul-Monsef then rushed out but Ashour whipped a right-footed ball across the box to Die Foneye, whose shot was cleared off the line by Karim Zekri's header.
Late in the first-half, Zamalek could have opened the scoring on two occasions. Shikabala latched onto another superb through pass from Zaki but his left-footed shot from inside the area went poorly wide. Ghanem raced down the right flank and sent a pinpoint cross to the unmarked Mostafa Gaafar, who tried to hit a first-timer but his weak shot missed the target. Zamalek finally broke ENPPI's resistance in the 72nd minute when Shikabala received Ahmed Magdi's pass before sending a low shot that deflected off a defender and looped into the back of the net. ENPPI's Egypt international right-back Ahmed Al-Muhammadi squandered the chance to grab the equalizer after missing the target with the goal at his mercy, following a goal-mouth scramble. Zamalek wasted a host of opportunities to kill off the game and they could have been punished by ENPPI's dangerous counter attacks. Substitute Ahmed Abdul-Zaher twice headed wide from close range as Zamalek held on to their lead to claim a precious victory. Watch Zamalek's goal
