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Zamalek Go Top of the League After Beating Pharco

Zamalek claimed the top spot in the Egyptian Premier League after defeating Pharco 1-0 at Al Salam Stadium in Cairo, in Match week 4 action.

Thanks to a decisive goal from Angolan forward Chico Banza, Zamalek moved up to 10 points, taking sole lead of the table, while Pharco remained bottom with just one point. The visitors were further hampered when Senegalese midfielder Babacar N’Diaye was sent off in the 62nd minute after receiving a second yellow card.

Zamalek started strongly, with their first chance coming in the 7th minute when Abdallah El Said delivered a corner that was headed just wide by Hossam Abdelmaguid.

Nabil Emad “Dunga” tried his luck twice—first with a shot inside the box after a pass from Nasser Maher, then with another strike from distance set up by Banza—but both efforts missed the target.

Pharco’s first opportunity came in the 35th minute, when Islam El Mazein squared the ball to Mohamed Fakhry, who shot narrowly off target.

After a goalless first half, Zamalek broke the deadlock early in the second period. In the 48th minute, Banza capitalized on a defensive mistake as Pharco failed to clear a cross from Brazilian Juan Alfina, with Adi Debbagh unable to deal with it. The ball fell to Banza, who slotted home from close range.

Hossam Abdelmaguid nearly doubled the lead in the 57th minute with a long-range strike, but Pharco goalkeeper Mohamed Said “Shika” pulled off a fine save to deny him.

Zamalek coach Yannick Ferrera then made his first substitution, introducing Moroccan defender Mahmoud Bentayg in place of Ahmed Fattouh. Later, he brought on Nasser Mansi, Mohamed Shehata, and Palestinian forward Adam Kaid for Abdallah El Said, Adi Debbagh, and Chico Banza, as Pharco were reduced to 10 men after N’Diaye’s dismissal for a foul on Mahmoud Hamdi “El Wensh.”

Shehata almost made an instant impact when he latched onto a pass from Mansi inside the box, but his shot flew over the bar. Pharco responded with a change of their own, bringing on Ahmed Sherif for Nasser Maher in the 83rd minute. In stoppage time, Mansi had a golden chance to seal the win when he dribbled past Shika and aimed at the empty net, only to see his shot rebound off the post. The match ended with Zamalek securing a narrow but crucial 1-0 victory.

Meanwhile, at the New Suez Stadium, Al Masry were held to a 1-1 draw by hosts Haras El Hodoud, surrendering their place at the top of the standings to Zamalek.

Tunisian forward Mondher Tamine gave Al Masry the lead in the 18th minute, but Mohamed Ashraf “Rouka” equalized for Haras El Hodoud from the penalty spot deep into stoppage time (90+2). The result left Al Masry on 8 points in second place, two behind leaders Zamalek, while Haras El Hodoud climbed to 5 points in 8th place.

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