Ashraf AboArafe reports
Cairo – Saturday, May 17, 2025
Al Ahly clinched a dramatic 2-1 victory over National Bank SC in a thrilling encounter at Cairo International Stadium on Saturday, as part of Matchday 7 of the Championship Phase of the Egyptian Premier League. The win takes Al Ahly one step closer to securing the league title, which will now be decided in the final round.
Match Summary:
Imam Ashour opened the scoring for Al Ahly in the 21st minute with a stunning strike from outside the box after receiving a pass from Ashraf Bencharki. National Bank responded just before the halftime whistle, as Yaw Annor equalized in first-half stoppage time with a well-placed left-footed shot after turning inside the box.
The decisive moment came deep into second-half stoppage time, when substitute Wissam Abu Ali netted the winning goal in the 96th minute, finishing off a well-orchestrated team move to seal three vital points for the Red Devils.
With this result, Al Ahly move to 55 points, maintaining top spot in the league table—two points ahead of Pyramids FC, who sit second. National Bank remains in fourth place with 37 points.
First Half: Ashour Strikes, Annor Responds
The match began with early chances for both sides. Mohamed Fathy attempted a surprise long-range effort in the 4th minute that missed the target. Imam Ashour had a golden chance moments later but fired over the bar from close range.
Marwan Attia and Ashour both tested National Bank goalkeeper Mahmoud El Belouty with powerful efforts, before Ashour finally broke the deadlock with a rocket into the top left corner in the 21st minute.
Al Ahly controlled much of the first half thereafter, though National Bank nearly equalized through Osama Faisal in the 41st minute. In added time, Yaw Annor leveled the score with a sharp turn and finish following a well-placed pass from Said Neymar.
Second Half: Tactical Substitutions and a Late Winner
Al Ahly manager Marcel Koller made early changes to bolster the attack, bringing on Wissam Abu Ali at the break. Bencharki almost restored Al Ahly’s lead in the 48th minute, but El Belouty pulled off a crucial save.
More substitutions followed, with Amr El-Sulaya and Magdy Afsha entering the fray, while National Bank also refreshed their lineup. Al Ahly continued to press, with chances from Ashour and El-Sulaya, but El Belouty remained resilient in goal.
In stoppage time, left-back Ali Maaloul came on for Ashour, just before Abu Ali capitalized on a flowing attacking move to net the dramatic winner in the 96th minute, sparking celebrations from the home fans and bench.
What’s Next?
Al Ahly’s narrow win keeps them in pole position as the title race heads to a dramatic finale. One more win could be enough to secure the league crown, depending on Pyramids FC’s result in the final round.
