Shikabala lit up Cairo Stadium with two superb goals and an all-action display to help Zamalek leapfrog surprise package Police Union into top spot in the Egyptian Premier League with a 2-0 win. The talented winger, who said he would leave Zamalek when his contract expires in January 2012, was given a standing ovation when he was substituted in the 76th minute after producing a virtuoso performance. He scored either side of the interval to help Zamalek overcome Police's resolute defense that leaked just four goals in seven games before Wednesday's meeting. Police's fairytale run came an end after they slumped to their first defeat of the season. They slipped to second spot with 15 points, two behind leaders Zamalek who haven't won the league since 2004. Zamalek's arch-rivals Ahli, who eye a seventh consecutive league title, have 14 points from six games and would move top if they win their two games in hand. "We are on top now, we don't want to go down. We want to remain there until the very end," midfielder Ashour Al-Adham, who has produced consistent displays since joining Zamalek from Masri in the close season, said after the game. Off-field Problems Zamalek are suffering from continuous off-field problems that pundits said could derail their run in the premier domestic competition. They entered the game on the back of a feud with Iraqi striker Emad Mohamed, who eyes a Zamalek exit for personal reasons, and the sacking of board member Ahmed Refaat who made inappropriate remarks about wing-back Hazem Emam and his wife.
Shikabala produced a remarkable display But those problems were not reflected on the pitch, with Zamalek taking firm control from the beginning. Ahmed Gaafar spearheaded the Cairo giants' attack in the absence of injured striker Amr Zaki, playing in front of Shikabala and Alaa Ali. He set up Shikabala for Zamalek's opener in the 37th minute that ended the dull opening exchanges. Towering frontman Gaafar flicked a fine long ball from central midfielder Hani Saied into the path of Shikabala, who impressively controlled it despite being under pressure from two defenders and beat Police keeper at the near post with a left-foot shot. Gaafar was replaced at halftime after suffering a head injury, making way for youngster Mohamed Ibrahim as Zamalek played the second half without a recognized striker. But despite the lack of a target man, the pace and skills of lively duo Shikabala and Ibrahim gave Police defenders all sorts of problems. They combined to double Zamalek's advantage in the 56th minute and leave the visitors with an uphill to climb. Shikabala gathered Ibrahim's pass on the edge of the area and rifled an unstoppable shot that went into the top corner of the net. The Anderlecht target, who is often blighted by disciplinary problems, was replaced with Ivorian striker Abou Kone after stamping his mark on the team. Zamalek eased off following his substitution, allowing Police to launch late raids in desperate attempts to take something from the game. They almost reduced the arrears nine minutes from time but a goal-line clearance by right-back Omar Gaber denied them.
