In a dramatic twist on Tuesday, the eagerly awaited Egyptian Premier League derby between Zamalek and Ahly was cancelled following escalating disputes over match officials.

The defending champions had threatened to withdraw from the league after the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) dismissed their repeated requests for a postponement and the appointment of foreign referees.

“We insist on respecting the Egyptian Pro League (EPL) decisions and reiterate our demand to play tonight’s game with foreign officials. If our demands are not met, Ahly will not continue in the league,” the club’s board said in a statement.

Sticking to their stance, Ahly failed to show up at Cairo Stadium, prompting referee Mahmoud Bassiouny to call off the match 15 minutes after the scheduled kickoff at 9:30 p.m. local time.

The dispute had been brewing for days, with Ahly expressing strong dissatisfaction over recent refereeing performances, alleging bias in previous matches.

The controversy intensified after the EFA assigned a local officiating crew on Monday night, despite prior assurances to the EPL that foreign referees would be used for key fixtures during the league’s final phase.

Zamalek, on the other hand, confirmed their readiness to play.

The EFA defended its decision, citing a lack of time to secure foreign officials after the match was scheduled on 5 March.

The playoffs draw, held on Wednesday, had set up an early showdown between the two Cairo giants in the first round.

The game carried significant weight in the title race. Ahly, aiming for a third consecutive championship, trail league leaders Pyramids FC, who have 42 points—three more than Ahly. Zamalek sit in third place with 32 points.

According to EPL regulations adopted this season, any team that withdraws from a match is considered to have forfeited and will be deducted three points. If a team withdraws from the competition after it has started, it faces relegation to the lower division and a two-season ban from the Premier League, along with financial penalties.

-Ahram

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Cairo giants Zamalek returned to winning ways with a commanding 3-0 victory over Enppi in the Egyptian Premier League’s 17th matchday at Arab Contractors Stadium on Tuesday, handing Portuguese coach Jose Pesiero his first win.

Zamalek’s victory was fueled by a second-half brace from midfielder Abdallah El-Said and a clinical finish from striker Nasser Mansi.

The win marked a crucial turnaround for manager José Peseiro, whose side had failed to secure a victory since his appointment on 14 February, drawing 1-1 against Petrojet, Ahly, and ZED FC in succession.

Zamalek pressed from the opening whistle, eager to score early and ease pressure on their players, but they failed to create any genuine opportunities.

Three minutes into the first half, striker Nasser Mansi nearly broke the deadlock when he connected with Omar Gaber’s precise pass from the right wing, firing a right‐footed shot from close range that was saved by Enppi’s goalkeeper Abdel-Rahman Samir.

The White Knights controlled much of the game, dominating Enppi in their own half, while the Petroleum side relied on rapid counter-attacks that were consistently rebuffed by Zamalek’s defence.

In the 28th minute, Zamalek’s Portuguese coach, Jose Peseiro, was forced to make a change after winter signing Tunisian winger Ahmed Jafeli suffered a muscular injury, introducing Mohmed Hamdi as his replacement.

Despite sustained pressure, Zamalek failed to breach Enppi’s resolute defense before halftime. The visitors grew into the game as the half wore on, ensuring the teams entered the break goalless.

Peseiro reshuffled at halftime, introducing veteran playmaker Abdallah El-Said in place of defender Hossam Abdel-Maguid to inject creativity into midfield, which proved inspired.

Five minutes after the restart, Zamalek were awarded a penalty following a VAR-confirmed handball by Enppi defender Khaled Ahmed.

El-Said stepped up calmly, slotting a low right-footed finish into the bottom corner to ignite the scoreboard in the 53rd minute.

Mansi doubled the lead in the 66th minute, rising brilliantly to head home Moroccan fullback Mahmoud Bentayg’s looping cross from the left flank.

Zamalek continued to surge forward, with El-Said orchestrating attacks, but Enppi’s defense held firm until stoppage time.

Four minutes into injury time, the 39-year-old maestro sealed his brace, and the victory, firing a first-time strike into the roof of the net after latching onto substitute Seif Gaafar’s cutback from the left.

The result solidifies Zamalek’s hold on third place with 32 points, seven behind leaders Pyramids FC and four adrift of arch-rivals Ahly, though both rivals have a game in hand.

Meanwhile, Enppi remain rooted in the relegation zone at 17th with just 12 points.

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Former Nigeria manager, Jose Peseiro is still trying to find his feet in Egypt as his Zamalek is looking to secure their first victory after four matches,

Since Peseiro’s appointment on 14 February, Zamalek have failed to win, drawing 1-1 against Petrojet, Ahly, and ZED FC.

“We didn’t achieve victory in the last three games, but we played good football, and the performance has improved,” Peseiro told the pre-game press conference.

The team is currently third in the standings with 29 points, 10 behind joint leaders Pyramids FC, and seven adrift of second-placed Ahly.

Enppi, on the other hand, are struggling near the bottom of the table with just 12 points.

“We aim to win against Enppi as Zamalek fights to win all the games,” the Zamalek coach said.

This season, the Egyptian Premier League adopted a single-round format with all 18 clubs competing.

The top nine teams will advance to the title race, while the bottom clubs will fight to avoid relegation.

Zamalek will be without key players, including Ahmed ‘Zizo’ Sayed and Mohamed Shehata, who are suspended. Tunisian defender Hamza Mathlouthi, Ahmed Hamdi, and Mohamed Abdel-Shafi remain sidelined due to injuries.

“We have more absentees ahead of the Enppi game, and as any coach would want, I hope for the availability of the entire squad to achieve victory. However, I am confident in the performance of the available players,” the Portuguese coach added.

Peseiro will rely on veteran midfielder Abdalla El-Saied and midfielder Nasser Maher, who returns from a three-game suspension, to help secure his first win with the Whites.

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