Al-Ahly failed to return from the historic Ghazl El-Mahalla Stadium with three points, settling for a disappointing goalless draw against coach Alaa Abdel-Aal’s side in the fourth round of the Egyptian Premier League.
This stumble is Al-Ahly’s second this season after three league matches. They drew 2-2 with Modern Sport in the opening round, while their only victory was a 4-0 victory over Pharco.
A quick look at history suggests Zamalek will win the Egyptian Premier League this season after missing out on the title in the last three seasons.
The last time Al-Ahly stumbled twice in the first three rounds of the Egyptian Premier League was in the 2014-15 season, when Zamalek won the title, their first in over 10 years.
Another coincidence is that Al Ahly’s coach at the time was Spaniard Juan Carlos Garrido. After him, no Spanish coach took over the Red Castle until another Spaniard, José Rivero, took over last June.
Zamalek had opened their season with two wins against Ceramica Cleopatra and Modern Sport, and a draw against Arab Contractors, leaving them joint top of the table with Al Masry.
It should be noted that Ghazl El Mahalla, who held Al Ahly to a goalless draw, has played four league matches so far, all of which ended in goalless draws, a historic record that has only been repeated for the third time in the history of the Egyptian league.
