Zamalek slumped to their seventh Egyptian Premier League defeat this season after losing 1-0 to Ghazl Mahalla on Thursday in Michel Decastel's debut. The Swiss coach took over from Ahmed Refaat last month and has been monitoring his new players during several friendlies in the mid-season break. But his start wasn't promising as Abdul-Hamid Shabana's first-half goal sank a below-par Zamalek side. Mahalla's new coach Khaled Eid enjoyed a winning debut to help his side end a six-match winless streak. Zamalek's defeat leaves them languishing in seventh place of the league table on 21 points as their hopes of competing for a CAF Champions League spot faded. Mahalla climbed out of the relegation zone to lie tenth with 19 points. Ineffective Partnership Zamalek's new striker Olie Koffi made his debut, partnering veteran frontman Abdul-Halim Ali upfront. But both men failed to combine with each other as their ineffective partnership barely troubled Mahalla keeper Ibrahim Farag. Zamalek's sole effort during the first-half came through Ali in the 23rd minute when he was found by Ahmed Ghanem's cross but his close-range header was tipped over by Farag. The Cairo giants dominated possession but failed to create clear-cut chances while Mahalla relied on counter attacks in a bid to stun the home crowd.
Shikabala insulted by Zamalek fans Mahalla managed to grab the lead but it was down to a defensive lapse rather than a successful breakaway. Five minutes before the break, Zamalek keeper Abdul-Wahed Al-Sayed needlessly chipped the ball to defender Hani Saied, who was under pressure, rather than sending a long ball upfield. A poor chest control by Saied helped midfielder Shabana rob him to go clear on goal and score beneath the body of Al-Sayed. Insults Decastel introduced Ghanaian striker Junior Agogo and versatile midfielder Mohamed Abdullah instead of Koffi and Alaa Ali respectively. But his substitutions were to no avail as Zamalek still failed to unsettle Mahalla's steadfast defense. Zamalek fans felt the heat of the defeat and hurled insults against the team's talented winger Mahmoud Abdul-Razek 'Shikabala'. Shikabala, who is dubbed as Zamalek's greatest star, responded by saying that he will never play again for the White Knights. The former PAOK Saloniki man was not at his best as he was kept at bay by Mahalla's successful marking. The visitors could have even doubled their advantage in the closing stages but were thwarted by Al-Sayed but they still maintained their slender lead to claim all three points. Watch Mahalla's goal
