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In their first game back after the Africa Cup of Nations, Zamalek have lost 2-0 to Smouha in match-day nine of the Egyptian Premier League.
Zamalek were coming off a 2-2 draw against Angola’s Petro Luanda in the CAF Champions League and were in need of a win to overcome Al Ahly, who sit in first place.
The White Knights controlled possession in the opening minutes, without creating any real threat on the Smouha goal. It wasn’t until they were given a freekick in the 25th minute that they troubled El-Hany Soliman.
Shikabala sent in a cross inside the penalty area and found Mohamed Abdleghani who headed it towards goal, only for Soliman to save it. Youssef Obama beat the defenders to the follow-up and smashed it into the back of the net.
However, the goal was later ruled out by the referee, who consulted the VAR and found Obama in an offside position.
The visitors continued to dominate the midfield but failed to create any more clear cut chances in the first-half.
Both teams made substitutions during half-time with Emam Ashour coming on for Obama, while Smouha brought on Sodiq Ogoula for Hussein Faisal.
Then in the 51st minute, Mohamed Ounajem crossed the ball to Razack Cisse inside the six-yard box penalty are, but the latter’s header was saved by Soliman.
The following minute Cisse was able to get past the Smouha defence with ease before crossing the ball to Shikabala inside the penalty are but Soliman was once again there to deny the Whites from taking the lead.
In the 57th minute Ahmed Sayed Zizou played a great through ball to Cisse, who was once again no match El-Hany Soliman’s heroics.
Against the course of the game, Smouha opened the scoring in the 64th minute through the substitute Sodiq. The Nigerian youngster was able to create some space for himself on the edge of the penalty are and took a powerful long range effort and put it pas Mohamed Awad.
The Alexandrian side were then awarded a penalty in the 76th minute after Abdelghani dropped Alia Sylla inside the penalty area. Morocco international Abdelkabir El Ouadi stepped up to take the penalty and managed to score his first goal of the season.
Zamalek were unable to come back from the two-goal deficit and were handed their second defeat of the season.
They now remain on equal points with Al Ahly, 19, but the Reds still have two games in hand. Zamalek’s next game will be against Sagrada Esperanca in the CAF Champions League on 19 February.
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