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Bencharki Stars as Al Ahly Dominates Zamalek 3-0 in Cairo Derby

From CNA · (14m ago) English Positive tone

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Al Ahly defeated Zamalek 3-0 in the Egyptian Premier League.
  • Forward Achraf Bencharki scored two goals and provided an assist for Al Ahly.
  • The win places third-placed Al Ahly three points behind joint leaders Zamalek and Pyramids with two matches remaining.

From Cairo, the heart of Egyptian football, we bring you the electrifying conclusion to the Cairo derby. Al Ahly has once again asserted its dominance over rivals Zamalek, securing a resounding 3-0 victory that reverberated through the Egyptian Premier League. The star of the night was undoubtedly Moroccan forward Achraf Bencharki, whose exceptional performance โ€“ including two goals and a crucial assist โ€“ propelled Al Ahly to a commanding win.

Bencharki's opening goal, a well-placed header in the 18th minute, set the tone for Al Ahly's dominance. His contribution extended beyond scoring as he skillfully assisted Hussein El Shahat for the second goal. Even when Zamalek missed a penalty, Al Ahly, through Bencharki's clinical finish in the 74th minute, sealed their victory, leaving Zamalek's hopes in tatters. Zamalek coach Motamed Gamal acknowledged the poor performance, stating, "It was a poor match for us and an even worse result." This loss is particularly stinging for Zamalek, who were joint leaders heading into this crucial fixture.

It was a poor match for us and an even worse result. I am sad for Zamalekโ€™s supporters. I had hoped they would leave the stadium happy after achieving a positive result.

โ€” Motamed GamalZamalek coach's reaction to his team's heavy defeat in the derby.

This victory is more than just three points for Al Ahly; it's a statement of intent. With this win, third-placed Al Ahly closes the gap to just three points behind joint leaders Zamalek and Pyramids, setting the stage for a thrilling finale to the season with only two matches left. Coach Jess Thorup lauded his team's discipline and fighting spirit, emphasizing their pride in performance. The derby, a fixture that always ignies passion across Egypt, has once again delivered drama, showcasing the fierce rivalry and high stakes of Egyptian football.

We played with discipline. I told the players before the match that they had to make their families proud, and that fighting spirit is what they showed.

โ€” Jess ThorupAl Ahly coach praising his team's performance and determination.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by CNA in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.