ENPPI eased to a comfortable 4-1 drubbing over Gaish in an Egyptian League clash on Saturday, to keep the gap with Leaders Petrojet narrow. Midfielder Islam Awad scored the opener on 26 minutes, and two minutes later Ahmed Al-Muhammadi, whom Premiership side Blackburn Rovers reportedly want to land, doubled the lead. Ivorian forward Vincent Die Foneye ensured the Petroleum side's superiority with a third goal on 54 minutes, and shortly after Awad put the icing on the cake from a free-kick. Abdul-Sattar Sabri netted Gaish's consolation goal three minutes from time. Elsewhere, Ismaili failed to win for the second match running after being held to a 1-1 draw by Ghazl Mahalla.
Ismaili are yet to pull themselves together The hosts took a stranglehold on the game, with midfield duo Mohsen Hendawi and Mohamed Abdul-Shafi putting on their finest displays. Abdul-Hamid Shabana put Mahalla ahead when he feinted past heavily-vilified goalie Mohamed Sobhi and slotted home after a long sprint. The Dervishes leveled when Mohab Saied netted the equalizer on 68 minutes with an unstoppable shot from the edge of the penalty area. Ismaili's hopes of competing for the league title are gradually fading as they lie fourth in the table with 17 points, seven adrift of leaders Petrojet. Ricardo Ferreira's men last won Egypt's premier competition in 2002.
