Mido and Amr Zaki might be considered the most potent strike partners on paper but they once again failed to impose themselves in the Egyptian Premier League. With a lengthy European experience for Mido, including several spells in the English Premier League, he was expected to make an immediate impact after joining Zamalek on a season-long loan from Middlesbrough. Zaki, who impressed in the Premiership last season before disciplinary problems forced him out of Wigan Athletic, assured Zamalek fans that the team's attack would be productive when he decided to stay put. But neither lived up to expectations after five Egyptian league matches. Neither scored a single goal. Zamalek failed to convert several clear-cut chances in their surprising 1-0 defeat at home to Gaish on Thursday. Zaki played the full 90 minutes while Mido, who still looks short of match fitness, came as a second-half substitute. "The wastefulness of our attack cost us. We have very good players upfront but still failed to score," Zamalek coach Henri Michel, who suffered his first defeat at the helm, told the post-match press conference. "Things should get better when Zaki and Mido regain full fitness," the 61-year-old added. Zamalek, who have seven points from five games, failed to narrow the gap with leaders and arch-rivals Ahli to just one point. Defending champions Ahli paid for Francis Doe's first-half dismissal to draw 1-1 at Masri.
Doe was sent-off against Masri The Liberian striker was shown a straight red card after appearing to head-butt Masri midfielder Ashour Al-Adham on 26 minutes. Despite their numerical disadvantage, Ahli managed to take the lead through a goal from in-form midfielder Ahmed Hassan, who notched his fourth goal in five matches. But Masri, who piled on pressure late in the game, eventually secured a share of spoils via a header from Ahmed Osman. "We had enough chances to win the game," Egypt skipper Hassan told Modern TV after the match. "The numerical disadvantage has definitely taken a toll on us, and the match was already tough." Ahli fined Doe $10,000 and warned his teammates that anyone who will get booked or sent-off will be heavily punished. Revival Continues Petrojet, who many thought would be serious title contenders after finishing third last season, extended their winless run to three matches after a 2-2 draw against newcomers Military production. They could have even lost after trailing Military by two first-half goals but strikes from Burkina Faso midfielder Mohamed Koffi and Ivorian striker Eric Bekoe spared their blushes.
Ismaili back on track Ismaili's revival under new coach Emad Soliman continued with a 1-0 away victory over Ittihad. Attacking midfielder Ahmed Ali, who also scored the winner in last week's victory over Arab Contractors, netted the decisive goal seven minutes before the break. It was the second successive win for the Dervishes under Soliman, who took over at the club following the sacking of Serbian coach Nebojsa Vuckovic. "We exerted lots of efforts. The players deserved to win after following our instructions," Ismaili assistant coach Ashraf Khedr commented. Ismaili, who finished runners-up to Ahli last season, lie third in the league table with eight points, behind second-placed Petrojet on goal difference. Petrojet and Ismaili trail Ahli, who are bidding to win a sixth consecutive title, by three points. The defeat against Ismaili widened Ittihad's misery, who are at the bottom of the 16-team table on just one point. Promoted Mansoura claimed their first win of the season after overcoming Police Union 2-0 while Arab Contractors handed Gouna their second defeat with a 2-0 victory.
