Pyramids FC began their league season with a win against Ghazl El-Mahalla, while Al Masry and Tala’ea El-Gaish also secured victories.
Odeh Al-Fakhouri, Nasser Maher and Mahmoud Zalaka scored for Pyramids at El-Mahalla Stadium. The result moved the Cairo side to the top of the league on goal difference.
Al-Fakhouri opened the scoring in the 41st minute after Mohamed Chibi found the Jordanian forward inside the penalty area, and he converted to give Pyramids a half-time lead. Nasser Maher made it 2-0 in the 67th minute before Zalaka added the third seven minutes later.
The win gave South African coach Rhulani Mokwena three points in his first Egyptian Premier League match in charge of Pyramids.
Mokwena’s side are seeking their first league title after finishing runners-up last season. They will next host newly promoted Abu Qir Fertilizers, who made history a day earlier, on Thursday, August 27.
Al Masry Begin With Narrow Win
Al Masry also began their campaign with a victory, beating Smouha 1-0 at New Suez Stadium.
The only goal arrived in the 76th minute when Smouha goalkeeper Ahmed Mayhoub put the ball into his own net. Al Masry held on to collect their opening three points.
El-Gaish Edge Arab Contractors
Earlier, Tala’ea El-Gaish defeated Arab Contractors 1-0 at the Military Sports Authority Stadium.
Ahmed Alaa scored the winner in the 70th minute. The defender beat goalkeeper Mahmoud Abou El-Saoud with a direct free kick to secure the victory for Gomaa Mashhour’s side.
El-Gaish had an earlier goal disallowed after officials ruled that the ball had gone out of play during the build-up.
Late Equaliser Denies Asyut Petroleum
The day’s other match ended in a 1-1 draw between Asyut Petroleum and Suez Petrojet.
After a goalless first half, Ahmed Khaled gave Asyut Petroleum the lead in the 75th minute. The hosts appeared set to take all three points, but Ahmed Bahbah equalised for Suez Petrojet in the fourth minute of stoppage time.
Suez Petrojet had earlier struck the post with a long-range effort, while the late equaliser ensured that both teams opened the season with one point.
The opening round concludes on Sunday with El Gouna facing Modern Sport, Ceramica Cleopatra playing Canal SC and Al Ahly hosting Sharqiya ENPPI.