Egyptian club Maqassa announced Wednesday that they parted ways with head coach Ahmed Mido Hossam after Tuesday s 3-1 league loss to rivals Pyramids FC. "The board decided to thank coach Mido for his stint with the team, wishing him best of luck in his next steps as he is considered one of the promising coaches," read a short statement on Maqassa s official Twitter account. Coach Gamal Omar will be in charge of the team in the coming period, according to club management. The 37-year-old former Egypt attacker Mido took the charge of the Fayoum-based club last June, succeeding former coach Talaat Youssef. With Mido at the helm, Maqassa secured just two wins and suffered seven defeats in 14 domestic league matches since the season start. The team currently lie in 15th place of the league table. The former Zamalek, Ismaily and Wadi Degla coach Mido hung up his boots in June 2013 after serving a host of European clubs, including Ajax, Celta Vigo, Marseille, Roma, Tottenham, Wigan and West Ham. Mido took charge of Zamalek twice, leading the club to the Egypt Cup title in his first stint in 2014. His second spell in 2016 was less successful and he was sacked following a poor run of results. Mido also had stints with Ismaily in 2015 and Wadi Degla in 2017. He was named as coach of Saudi side Al-Wehda in 2019, but was sacked after only two months.

Ahly s Moroccan striker Walid Azaro has joined Saudi side Ettifaq on loan for six months starting this month, the gulf club announced Wednesday. "Azaro joined the club from Ahly on loan until the end of the current season," reads a short statement by Ettifaq via their Twitter account. The future of the 24-year old Azaro with Ahly was recently unclear as several reports suggested that the club wanted to release him, especially after the arrival of Senegalese striker Aliou Badji. With five foreign players already on their squad, Ahly had to offload one to make room for the Senegalese hitman. Despite impressing in the first two seasons after joining the Reds in 2017 from Morocco s Difaa El-Jadida, the league s top scorer of the 2017/2018 season recently came under fire by Ahly fans after failing to prove his worth since the season start. Ahly finally decided to offload Azaro amid reports that the decision came after he failed to convince coach Rene Weiler; scoring just four goals in 11 appearances this season. Azaro scored 41 goals in 89 games in all competitions with Ahly. Ettifaq currently lie in 10th place of the Saudi domestic league table with 17 points from 14 matches.

Aston Villa eased its striker crisis by signing Tanzania international Mbwana Samatta from Belgian champion Genk on Monday. Villa has played its last three matches without a recognized striker after Brazil international Wesley was ruled out for the rest of the season with a knee injury. The Premier League club sold the other striker in its squad, Jonathan Kodjia, to Qatari side Al-Gharafa earlier Monday. Samatta has scored 10 goals for Gent in all competitions this season, including one at Anfield against Liverpool in the Champions League. Samatta is the first player from Tanzania to play in the Premier League. He did not sign in time to be available for Villa s league match at home to Watford on Tuesday. Villa is in the relegation zone after 23 of 38 games in its first season back in the top division.

Ahly coach Rene Weiler has announced that the team s playmaker Saleh Gomaa will not have a place in the current squad, hoping the latter will have regular play with another team. Last week, Gomaa announced that he was suffering under Ahly s new coach Weiler, who always omits the playmaker from the team s squad despite his performance during trainings. "Each player has two sides, technical and mental. While Saleh Gomaa has the technical part, he lacks the mental one, which is related to concentration, as he was repeatedly fined by the team s management," Weiler told a press conference after the 2-0 win over Arab contractors on Sunday. "Saleh Gomaa won t have a role with us. I wish him good luck with another team," the Ahly coach said. Ahly fined the 26-year-old attacking midfielder repeatedly this season due to his absence from the team s trainings. Moreover, he did not make any appearance with team during the ongoing season. Since his arrival to Ahly in the 2015 season from Egyptian Premier league side Enppi, Gomaa made 69 appearances with the Reds, scoring 12 goals and making 13 assists. Ahly are in the driver s seat of the Egyptian Premier league, with a full mark of 36 points after playing 12 games so far this season.

Irrepressible Ahly will be looking to edge closer to a club record when they face nearest challengers Arab Contractors in a top-of-the-table clash in the Egyptian Premier League on Sunday. The Red Devils, who are firm favourites to win a fifth straight league title, made one of their best starts ever to a season, winning their first 11 games with a swagger. The netted a staggering 33 goals in the process, conceding just twice. Ahly are the team to beat and should they overcome Contractors, they will be just five wins short of the record they set in the 2004/2005 season when they won their opening 17 matches under iconic Portuguese coach Manuel Jose. But they are likely to face their toughest test yet this term against an in-form Contractors side that are managed by former Ahly defender Emad El-Nahhas. Contractors made an impressive start, collecting 29 points from their opening 13 matches to sit four points behind Ahly, although the latter still have two matches in hand. Ahly s firepower upfront was further boosted by the arrival of Egypt winger Mahmoud Kahraba, who opened his account with a late double salvo in the team s 5-0 drubbing of Tanta in their previous match. The Cairo giants also welcome back key attacking midfielder Walid Soliman after he recovered from injury. Out-of-favour Moroccan striker Walid Azaro, who is likely to be offloaded in January, was left out of Ahly s squad. Senegalese frontman Aliou Badji, who joined from Rapid Vienna last week, has not been registered yet in Ahly s squad.

Xavi said it was "too early" for him to coach Barcelona as he confirmed on Thursday that he had received an offer from his former club but would remain at Qatari side Al-Sadd. World Cup winner Xavi, 39, said Barcelona s director of football Eric Abidal made him the offer, before settling on Quique Setien to replace Ernesto Valverde as coach. "I received an offer from Barcelona in the presence of Eric Abidal... but I did not agree to this offer, especially as it is too early for me to coach Barcelona," he said in a statement issued by Al-Sadd. "But it will still be my dream to coach the team in the future. "I love the new Barcelona coach, I love the way he works, and I expect him to succeed with the team." Valverde left Barcelona after his sacking on Monday, closing the page on a brutal few days. Barcelona confirmed Setien s appointment following a board meeting that lasted more than four hours on Monday. His contract runs until 2022 although there is a break clause in 2021, to allow for change after the club s presidential elections. Valverde is the first coach to be sacked by Barca mid-season since Louis van Gaal in 2003. Barcelona sit top of La Liga, albeit level on points with Real Madrid, and face Napoli next month in the last 16 of the Champions League. Xavi came through the Barcelona academy before breaking the record for most appearances for the senior side, winning four Champions League trophies and eight La Liga titles. He joined Al-Sadd as a player in 2015 before being appointed coach last July.

Zamalek continued their recent fine run with a 2-0 victory at Gouna on Wednesday -- their third straight win in the Egyptian Premier League -- to avenge a bitter draw last season which virtually ended their title hopes. Veteran winger Mahmoud Shikabala netted his first league goal in over two years on only his third appearance this season to give Zamalek the lead on the quarter-hour mark. Moroccan winger Mohamed Ounajem ensured the win ten minutes after the break, notching his second goal since joining the team last summer after he also found the net in an exciting 3-2 win over Tanta in their previous match. Zamalek were held to a 2-2 draw on the same venue in the Egyptian Red Sea resort last season with two matches remaining in the league, which was crucial in handing the title to perennial Cairo rivals Ahly. The White Knights are third in the table with 24 points, five behind second-placed Arab Contractors, who played a game more, and six adrift of leaders Ahly, who have two games in hand. Shikabala opener Zamalek s early pressure resulted in a 15th-minute opener when Shikabala cut inside from the right and drilled a low shot into the bottom corner, leaving the keeper with no chance. The visitors looked lively but Gouna still posed threats on breakaways, going close on 18 minutes when right-back Bassem Ali cut inside central defender Mahmoud Alaa before firing a shot that forced a fine one-handed save from keeper Mohamed Abou-Gabal. Abou-Gabal was called into action again on the stroke of halftime, thwarting a bicycle effort from Khaled Sobhi following a diagonal left-wing cross. But Zamalek still managed to increase their advantage in the 55th minute when attacking midfielder Youssef Ibrahim fed Ounajem on the edge of the area, with the Moroccan finding the bottom corner with precise low shot. Gouna poured forward en masse and were unlucky not to narrow the gap when a glancing header from substitute Eslam Mohareb came off the bar. Zamalek survived a late onslaught and an injury to left-back Abdallah Gomaa, when they had already made their three substitutions, to maintain their recent mini-revival.

Zamalek will be looking to maintain their recent mini-revival when they face Gouna in the Egyptian Premier League on Wednesday, having shown signs of improvement after a patchy form. The Cairo giants ended a three-match winless run, which severely dented their hopes to challenge for the league title, by claiming two back-to-back wins over Aswan and Tanta earlier this month. Their victory over Tanta was particularly thrilling as Zamalek scored twice in the dying minutes to grab a much-needed 3-2 win after resting some key regulars. They continued their fine form by beating Zambia s Zesco United 2-0 at home on Saturday to boost their chances of reaching the African Champions League quarters. Although they are nine points behind leaders and defending champions Ahly, who still have a game in hand, Zamalek coach Patrice Carteron is refusing to throw in the towel. "The performance is improving as we managed to score a goal or two in every game of the recent matches," the Frenchman said. "We are still competing with Ahly for the league title." Gouna are likely to prove stiff opponents to Zamalek on their home venue in the Egyptian Red Sea resort. They held Zamalek to a thrilling 2-2 home draw in their previous meeting last season, which effectively ended their opponents league hopes and handed the title to Ahly. Gouna currently lie 12th in the table with 12 points from as many games.

The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) has started on Sunday its training programme for Egyptian referees to implement the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) in the domestic competitions in the upcoming weeks. The first phase includes technical tests on VAR equipment at the sub-pitch of the Cairo International Stadium, and will last for two days. The referees will then attend one-week lectures. During the four-week practical stage, the referees will be divided into 18 groups, each comprising three referees, according to the EFA statement on its official Facebook page. "The timetable ensures applying VAR by the start of the second half of the Egyptian Premier League s current season, but the EFA is awaiting the official approval of the sports and youth ministry," said Mohamed Fadl, member of the EFA s normalisation committee. The second half of the season will start in February. "The EFA will inform the Egyptian Premier League with all the information on VAR, to receive their suggestions and implement the procedures needed for the success of the project," Fadl added. Egyptian referees have come under stern criticism in the past few seasons and the majority of clubs have requested the implementation of VAR to avoid obvious mistakes that overshadowed several games.

Ahly and Zamalek will face off in the United Arab Emirates after the managing committee of the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) announced that the domestic Super Cup will be played in the Gulf country 20 February. "EFA board member Mohamed Fadl arrived in the UAE 3 January, making an investigative visit to suggested stadiums to host the Egypt s Super Cup game," read a statement by EFA. "The EFA crew headed by Fadl chose Mohamed Bin Zayed Stadium to host the game that will be played on Thursday, 20 February, with the attendance of 37,000 fans,” the statement added. EFA also announced the Cairo derby game between Ahly and Zamalek in the Egyptian Premier League will be postponed from 19 February to be played 24 February. "The referee crew will use VAR technology during their mission in officiating Egypt s Super Cup game," the EFA statement added. It s the fourth time for UAE to host Egypt s Super Cup having organised the event in 2015, 2016 and 2017. In the summer of 2015, Ahly defeated perrenial rivals Zamalek 3-2 in an exciting game at Al Ain s Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium. In 2016, Zamalek defeated Ahly 3-1 after penalty kicks following a goalless draw at Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium. In the winter of 2018, Ahly defeated Masry 1-0 at Al Ain s Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium. Ahly are the record holders of the Super Cup with 11 titles. Zamalek have won it three times.

Egyptian Football Association (EFA) member Mohamed Fadl announced Thursday that VAR, video assistant referee technology, will be used in stadiums when the second round of the Egyptian Premier League starts. "We will rent VAR technology equipment for three and a half years, then we will own it permanently," Fadl told a television programme. "VAR technology will be officially used when the second round of the league starts,” he added. The first round of the Egyptian Premier League is scheduled to finish 19 February with the Cairo derby between Ahly and Zamalek. "We finalised the process as we received the machines to train our referees on the new technology,” Fadl revealed. "The EFA will pay all the costs of the VAR technology, and a trainer for referees will arrive in Cairo 12 January to train 54 referees. After 28 days of training, we will be ready to use the technology," Fadl said. Egyptian referees have come under stern criticism in the past few seasons and most clubs have requested the implementation of VAR technology to avoid obvious mistakes that overshadowed several games. Video assistant referee technology allows match officials to review decisions made by the head referee. The VAR team, stationed in a video operation room, automatically check every on-field referee decision under the four reviewable categories.

Ahly and national team winger Hussein El-Shahat will miss the team s trip to Zimbabwe ahead of the fourth round game of the African Champions League against FC Platinum, scheduled for Saturday. Ahly key player El-Shahat was the closest player from the team s injury list to join the travelling squad to Zimbabwe, but Ahly decided not to take the risk and to let him rest. "Both tactical and medical staff preferred not to include El-Shahat to the players travelling to Zimbabwe to give him more time to recover from his injury," Ahly s assistant coach Sami Komsan told the club s official website. The 28-year-old winger who joined the Reds last season participated with Ahly in 15 matches in all competitions, scoring eight goals. The Cairo giants will be fighting for their third victory in Zimbabwe, as they occupy second place with six points in Group B of the Confederation of African Football s Champions League. "Platinum s loss against Etoile du Sahel at home doesn t mean they are a weak team, especially that Zimbabwe s champion was dominating the game. Ahly will play the game as usual to get the three points," said Komsan. Tunisia s Etoile Sportive du Sahel lead the group with six points, Al-Hilal of Sudan is third with also six points, while FC Platinum lie at the bottom of the group with no points.

Zamalek s assistant coach Samy El-Shesheny slammed the intense schedule of the Egyptian Premier League, insisting it is a burden on clubs participating in the domestic competition. Since the season start in September, the Egyptian league matches almost take place every four days; a fact that puts more pressure on the coaches amid the sudden injuries and suspensions, according to El-Shesheny. "The intense schedule is torturing for the clubs. Ahly will be losing defender Saad Samir for the rest of the season after damaging his Achilles tendon, while many other players suffer different crucial injuries," El-Shesheny told Time Sports TV channel. "The schedule is intense to end the completion early, and you can t go on if you didn t prepare a large number of players for your match selections," he added. In Sunday s league win over Tanta, Zamalek coach Patrice Carteron made wholesale changes to his line-up, opting to rest a handful of key players before Friday s African Champions League game at home to Zambia s Zesco United. "The season is full of commitments like the league, Egypt Cup, Champions League and African Super Cup," explained El-Shesheny. "What happed against Tanta [deploying a second string team) was a big risk from Carteron, but we all stand behind him as some players needed rest and others wanted the opportunity to play," he concluded. Zamalek currently lie third at the league table with 21 points from 11 matches, nine points behind champions Ahly who played 10 matches so far.

New signing Mahmoud Kahraba could make his debut when Ahly meet debutants FC Masr in on Sunday as they aim to extend their impressive run in the Egyptian Premier League. The Egyptian international winger joined Ahly in the winter transfer window after ending his contract with Portuguese side Aves in a headline-grabbing deal. Kahraba is still subject of a complaint from Ahly s Cairo foes Zamalek, where he had played since 2015. Zamalek said the 25-year-old had breached his contract by abruptly leaving the club last summer to join Aves. He argues that his deal had already run out when he departed. The Egyptian Football Association said Kahraba is eligible to play after receiving his international clearance on Saturday, a timely boost for Ahly who are already missing influential winger Ramadan Sobhi because of a hamstring injury. "The player will wear the number 26 shirt in domestic competitions," Ahly said in a statement on their official website. The Red Devils are enjoying a great run of form under Swiss coach Rene Weiler, winning their first nine games to sit top with 27 points, two ahead of second-placed Arab Contractors, who played two games more. They have also proved far superior to all of their opponents so far, scoring a staggering 25 goals and conceding just once. FC Masr have produced some convincing displays in their maiden top-flight appearance. They lie 13th in the 18-team table with 11 points from as many games.

Cairo Giants Ahly started the new year in style after defeating Maqassa 2-0 in a league game at El-Salam stadium on Wednesday, claiming their ninth consecutive win in the domestic league this season. Tunisian fullback Ali Maaloul opened the scoring in the 74th minute, while midfielder Mohamed Magdi doubled the lead six minutes later. Ahly are at the top of the league table with a maximum 27 points, two points ahead of second-placed Arab Contractors, who played two games more. Maqassa striker Amr Marei had the chance to give his side an early lead in the 2nd minute when he received a nice pass from midfielder Mohamed Mossaad that made him clear, but his effort went wide. After Marei s chance, Ahly controlled the game in terms of possession but without making a real threat. Maqassa Ethiopian winger Shemeles Bekele squandered another chance when he found himself clear, failing to control the ball while the goal was at his mercy. On the other hand, Ahly s Malian midfielder Aliou Dieng squandered a good opportunity just before the break, his close-range shot going wide. The second half was different for Ahly, who intensified their attacks, especially after Rene Weiler s decision to introduce veteran winger Walid Soliman and Angolan winger Geraldo two minutes before the hour-mark. The duo made a quick impact when Geraldo gained a penalty converted by Ali Maaloul in the 74th minute. Six minutes later, a poor clearance from Maqassa s defence allowed Mohamed Magdi to double the lead. Marwan Mohsen failed to make it 3-0 after squandering a golden opportunity in injury time.

The question now is who can stop Ahly s relentless march towards a fifth consecutive Egyptian Premier League triumph. The Red Devils, who entertain struggling Maqassa on Wednesday, have made their best start to a season in over a decade and it s hard to imagine them giving away the title. They won their opening eight matches, recording comprehensive victories in most of them as their main challengers, including perennial Cairo rivals Zamalek, faltered badly. They scored a staggering 23 goals and conceded only once, underlining their strength and the gulf in class between Egypt s most successful outfit and their competitors. Ahly sit top with a maximum 24 points, two ahead of second-placed and surprise package Arab Contractors, who played two games more. Maqassa are unlikely to pose a serious threat to Ahly, given their poor start to the season. The club, who are managed by former Tottenham Hotspur and AS Roma striker Mido, lie 15th in the 18-team table with nine points, just one clear of the relegation zone. Pressure is mounting on Mido, although club officials reiterated that his job was safe. Ahly will once again have to do without some key players against Maqassa due to injuries, including attacking midfielder Hussein El-Shahat, Nigerian forward Junior Ajayi and influential winger Ramadan Sobhi, who faces several weeks on the sidelines. Defender Ayman Ashraf also misses out due to automatic suspension.

At the start of this decade, clashes between Arsenal and Manchester United were still potentially title-deciding affairs, but when the pair meet on New Year s Day at the Emirates they will have more modest goals in mind. United have not won a league title since Alex Ferguson s final season in charge seven years ago, while Arsenal have to go back to 2004 for the last time they raised the Premier League trophy, during the reign of Arsene Wenger. Both clubs entered this season hoping to finish in the top four, but while Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has guided United to fifth place, just a point off the Champions League spots, Arsenal languish in 12th, 11 points behind fourth-placed Chelsea after their home defeat to Frank Lampard s side on Sunday. Arsenal s poor form led to the dismissal of their Spanish manager Unai Emery and the arrival of his compatriot, former Gunners midfielder Mikel Arteta. Having left his role as Pep Guardiola s assistant at Manchester City, Arteta is talking big despite beginning with a draw at Bournemouth before Sunday s loss. "We are the biggest football club in England, and we have to play a little bit with that arrogance, that belief," Arteta told Sky Sports, urging the club s fans to make the Emirates a fortress again. "This stadium has to create fear again. I used to hate coming here as an opponent, and we need to use that power. The opponent must be uncomfortable playing here," he said. "It was incredible to play here as an Arsenal player. It s one of the most beautiful, exciting stadiums in the world. When this crowd gets going, and you feel them right behind the team, it s an incredible place," he added. United head to London on the back of wins over Newcastle and Burnley, and with French forward Anthony Martial and England s Marcus Rashford having struck five times in those games. French midfielder Paul Pogba is expected to be part of the United squad for the clash with the Gunners as he continues his return from a three-month injury absence. Runaway leaders Liverpool host Sheffield United on Thursday, looking to maintain their unbeaten run and 13-point advantage over second-placed Leicester City. Brendan Rodgers Foxes are at Newcastle, while third-placed Manchester City have a tricky test at home to Everton, who have won both their games since appointing Carlo Ancelotti as their new manager. David Moyes begins his second spell as West Ham United manager, following the dismissal of Chilean Manuel Pellegrini, when the Hammers host fellow strugglers Bournemouth.

Egypt defender Baher Elmohamady says he wants to leave his club Ismaily during the winter transfer window, adding that he currently has two offers, one from a European club and another from a Gulf team. "I want to leave Isamily in January," the 23-year-old player told ON Sport TV channel on Sunday. Elmohamady, who came from Isamily s youth ranks, made nine league appearances out of 10 with the Dervishes so far this season, netting one goal. "I want the club s management to accept my departure. Playing abroad will be beneficial for me, for the team and for the national team," explained the international player, who appeared with the Pharaohs at last summer s African Cup of Nations at home. "I received two irresistible offers ahead of the African Cup, but I refused them as I respected the wishes of Isamily officials at the time." "I am still young and I need the experience at this time. I need the support of everyone to succeed," he concluded. Ismaily currently lie at ninth place of the Egyptian Premier League with 13 points from 10 matches, 11 points behind leaders Ahly.

Ahly defender Saad Samir, who recently returned to action after recovering from injury, damaged his Achilles tendon during the 2-0 win over Zimbabwe s Platinum in the African Champions League late on Saturday. "Medical scans have showed that Saad Samir suffers from a rupture in his Achilles tendon," Ahly s doctor Khaled Mahmoud told the club s official website on Sunday. "The player will undergo surgery during the coming days and the operation will determine how long he will stay out of action." The 30-year-old defender left the pitch of Ahly s game against Platinum in the 3rd round of the group B games only 15 minutes from the start after sustaining a serious injury. Samir recently returned to the squad after recovering from a knee injury that sidelined him for more than three months. "Samir s injury is more serious than Ajayi s, as he recently returned to action after recovering from another injury," Ahly coach Rene Weiler told the post game press conference. The record eight-time winners Ahly, who are eyeing their first Champions League crown since 2013, moved level on six points with Al-Hilal and Tunisia s Etoile Sahel after three matches in what could be a tight race for the two quarter-final tickets.

Egypt s Zamalek ended their 16-year African drought by winning the Confederation Cup in 2019, with their campaign not short on trademark drama. Zamalek fans often complain that even when their side win, they have to endure nerve-jangling moments. This was exactly the case as the team clinched their first continental title since winning the African Super Cup in 2003. It all started in the group stage when Zamalek failed to win any of their first three games, which included two disappointing draws and an embarrassing 4-2 loss at Kenya s Gor Mahia. Having been written off by many following their poor start, Zamalek roared back in style, winning two of their remaining games and drawing the other to qualify as their group leaders. Further drama unfolded in the semi-final encounter against Tunisia s Etoile Sahel. In the first leg away from home, keeper Mahmoud Gennseh was red-carded with few minutes remaining and with the team having already made all three substitutions. With Zamalek protecting a slender 1-0 first-leg advantage, the match was on a knife edge. Striker Omar El-Said wore the keeper s gloves and stood between the sticks as Etoile threw everything forward. But a spirited display by Zamalek s rearguard ensured nothing came El-Said s way, with the team advancing to the final. However, more problems followed. With Gennesh serving a one-game suspension and his stand-in Emad El-Sayed sustaining an injury, Zamalek had to play the final first-leg against Morocco s RS Berkane with only one keeper at their disposal. Fortunately for them, Omar Salah came through the match unscathed but conceded a stoppage-time goal. The final act of the drama occurred in the second leg as Zamalek sought to overturn a 1-0 deficit. Berkane defended doggedly but a moment of VAR intervention in the second half proved crucial as a handball which was not originally spotted by the referee let them down. Mahmoud Alaa dispatched the resulting spot kick to level the aggregate score and Zamalek eventually prevailed in the shootout to win their first title of the Confederation Cup, Africa s secondary club competition.

Zamalek extended their winless domestic run to three matches after settling for another 0-0 draw against El-Entag El-Harby in the Egyptian Premier League on Tuesday. The White Knights, whose title hopes are all but over, could not finish off their chances for a second consecutive game despite their array of attacking talents. The likes of Moroccan forward Achraf Bencharki, Tunisian midfielder Ferjani Sassi and striker Mostafa Mohamed could not make the most of the gaps left by an adventurous approach from Entag. Zamalek remain fourth in the table with 15 points, a massive nine points behind leaders and defending champions Ahly, who still have a game in hand. Entag are fifth, also on 15 points. The Cairo giants would realistically need to focus on finishing second to earn an African Champions League spot. They are seven points behind second-placed Arab Contractors, who played a game more. Better side Although Zamalek spurned a golden chance to go ahead in the first half when Bencharki broke clear from the halfway line, only to fire straight at the advancing keeper, El-Entag were the better side. Striker Bassem Morsi, who is on loan at Entag from Zamalek, could have scored after 20 minutes when he was found unmarked by a superb flick to the far post, but his weak effort was easily collected by keeper Mohamed Abou-Gabal. Abou-Gabal was on alert again two minutes before the break to parry a shot from Alaa Salama from a tight angle, with Moussa Diawara blasting the rebound high over. Zamalek struggled to break down El-Entag in the second half but still had some decent efforts. Their best one came with 12 minutes remaining when deep-lying forward Youssef Ibrahim was released by a defence-splitting pass but his tame shot was thwarted by the keeper.