Braces from Aliou Dieng and Ali Malaoul helped Al Ahly thump Zamalek 5-3 in a Egyptian Premier League clash at the Cairo International Stadium.
Pitso Mosimane’s side moved up to the top of the table, while Zamalek remain in 5th.
Magdi Afsha had the first effort on goal after just two minutes as the Al Ahly midfielder tried his luck from distance only for Mohamed Abou-Gabal to parry the effort away.
Youssef Obama nearly gave the hosts the lead in the fifth minute, the striker rose highest to meet Tarek Hamed’s delivery but he failed to direct his header on target.
Mohamed El-Shennawy came to his side’s rescue in the 13th minute as the defender did well to clear Hamza Mathlouthi’s in-swinging off the line.
The visitors pushed for the opener and were rewarded in the 16th minute when Aliou Dieng created space for himself on the edge of the area before sending a shot that deflected off a couple of defenders to loop goalwards, strike the bar and bounces off the back of keeper Abou-Gabal and into the net.
Al Ahy extended their lead on the 20th minute after Ali Maaloul was tripped by Zamalek’s Hamza Mathlouthi before dusting himself up to convert from the spot.
Pitso Mosimane’s charges extended their lead on the 25th minute when a sloppy pass from Zamalek defender Mahmoud Alaa was intercepted by Amr El-Sulaya before pouncing a delightful cross that with Sherif met with a sliding effort to make it 3-0.
Zamalek, though, took control of the match after that and dominated the possession stakes but their chances were not in abundance because of a solid defending from Al Ahly.
The White Knights reduced the deficit after the half time break, as Mostafa Fathi sent a brilliant shot from the edge of the area that nestles into the top corner.
Dieng showed great composure on the 53rd minute when he squeezed a powerful effort into the far corner for Al Ahly’s fourth goal.
Maaloul added a fifth for Al Ahly on the 65th minute as he converted on the second attempt after Mathlouthi’s miss-time tackle striked El-Sulaya.
Zamalek were awarded a penalty the 80th minute after Jaziri was tripped by Ali Maaloul and Zizo fired into the top corner of the net.
The White Knights managed to pull another back in the 90th minute through a close range finish from Bencharki , however that was to be the final goal of the night, as Al Ahly claimed a memorable win over their Cairo rivals.
