Zamalek succumbed to a 1-0 defeat by Ghazl Mahalla in Cairo to suffer their fourth home loss this season. A 14th minute penalty by Mohamed Al-Etrawi handed Mahalla their second win in nine games, ensuring Zamalek's abysmal home record. The win helped Mahalla come out of the danger zone to move 13th on 10 points, while Zamalek are ninth with 11. Henri Michel's team missed strike partners Amr Zaki and Mido, which forced the French tactician to start with Sherif Ashraf and Ahmed Gaafar upfront. On the other hand, Mahalla's head coach Mohamed Radwan was away performing Hajj, leaving assistant Ahmed Hassan in charge of the Peasants. Early Blow The visitors were off to a flying start when Sherif Ragab earned a dubious penalty in the 13th minute, following the slightest of contacts from Shikabala. Mahalla's top scorer Al-Etrawi converted home past Abdul-Wahed Al-Sayed.
Al-Safti saw red Zamalek's reply to the early blow was anything but effectual as they looked sluggish in the final third, despite some shy attempts from Shikabala. The midfield wizard was the only Zamalek player to pose a threat on Mahalla goalie Ibrahim Farag in the first half, with a long-range effort and a deflected freekick. No chance for the White Knights Zamalek looked more active after the break and Gaafar came close to scoring his maiden goal in the 50th minute, only to see his point-blank effort denied by Farag. Less than a minute later, Mahalla's Karim Adel spurned a golden chance to punish the Whites on the counter, but his poor finish was thwarted by Al-Sayed. Michel's half-time substitute Sabri Rahil rifled a 25-yard shot that went inches above the bar, before Rahim Ayew tested Farag with a powerful effort from range. Zamalek kept on piling the pressure, but were dealt an unexpected blow when Amr Al-Safti received his marching orders for a second bookable effect in the 68th minute. Five minutes later, Ayew tried another long-range effort, but his superb volley was agonizingly denied by the post. But that was the best Zamalek can do in another grim night for the White fans.
