A last-gasp goal from Minusu Buba gave surprise package and 10-man Police Union a 2-1 home victory over Ismaili which moved them two points clear at the top of the Egyptian Premier League. The first half was a dull affair, with both sides adopting a cautious approach. Things looked to have swung Ismaili's way in the 71st minute when Police midfielder Ayman Saied was sent off after collecting a second yellow card for a handball. Substitute Abdullah Saied blasted home the ensuing free kick to leave Police, who earned plaudits for their solid defensive displays, with a mountain to climb. However, the hosts managed to level the score eight minutes from time through an easy tap in from Buba, who was the league's top scorer last season, eight minutes from time. The Nigerian striker struck again in stoppage time after making the most of a dreadful blunder from Ismaili keeper Mohamed Sobhi to hand Police their fourth win in seven games. Talaat Youssef's side top the league with 15 points, two ahead of second-placed Military Production who played a game more. Ismaili, who extended their winless streak to three matches, remain sixth on 10 points. The defeat will increase pressure on Ismaili's beleaguered coach Mark Wotte, who could not also lift his side beyond the group stage of the African Champions League. The club's vice-president Hammad Mousa said the board of directors will hold a meeting within two days to discuss the Dutchman's future.
Wotte under fire "We are doing our best to help Wotte do his job but the results are not satisfying," he said after the game. "We were leading with ten minutes remaining but we ended up losing the game, this is not acceptable." Ismaili Sweeper Wotte accepted a request from Ismaili players to deploy a sweeper, switching to a traditional 3-5-2 formation. He also fielded three central midfielders with little attacking duties to close down spaces and avoid conceding the silly goals which cost them dearly during the past two games. The cautiousness of both sides produced a drab first half that witnessed some tame efforts to break the deadlock. Ayman Saied's red card for a deliberate handball breathed life into the game though. Playmaker Abdullah Saied, who was introduced in the second half in a bid to inject zeal and boost Ismaili's firepower, arrowed a superb right-footed shot that left the keeper with no chance. Ismaili looked close to claiming all three points but Buba rounded off a skilful move from playmaker Essam Abdul-Aati in the 82nd minute to restore parity. Abdul-Aati robbed Ismaili's right-back Ahmed Sedik, sidestepped central defender Ahmed Hegazi and sent a low cross across the six-yard box that was converted by Buba at the far post. Buba gave Police a precious win in the additional time when he notched home the rebound after keeper Sobhi fumbled an innocuous shot from Reda Al-Azab.
