Zamalek's first football team began its campaign in the Egyptian Premier League with a goalless draw against Al Ittihad Al Sakandary on Friday evening.
The match between Zamalek and Al Ittihad Al Sakandary took place at Cairo International Stadium in the opening round of the Premier League for the "2026-2027" season.
Zamalek and Al Ittihad Lineups
Zamalek entered the match with the following lineup: "Mahdi Soliman - Mahmoud Bentayek – Mahmoud Hamdi 'El Wenesh' – Mohamed Ismail – Omar Gaber - Mohamed Shehata – Ahmed Fathouh – Adam Kayed - Ahmed Sherif - Nasser Mansi – Oday Dabbagh".
Al Ittihad's lineup was as follows: "Sobhi Soliman - Mostafa Ibrahim - Mohamed Mostafa Mido - Khaled Masaad - Moamen Awad - Mohamed Fakhry - Kenneth Simakula - Isaac Savior - Yousri Wahid - Pascal Verra - Hossam Hassan".
Zamalek Dominance
Zamalek imposed its dominance over the early proceedings of the match against Al Ittihad Al Sakandary.
Zamalek missed a dangerous chance in the 19th minute on the goal of the Pride of Thaghr when a corner kick was delivered and Nasser Mansi rose to meet it with a header, but the ball went wide to the right of Al Ittihad goalkeeper Sobhi Soliman and out of play.
In the 24th minute, Al Ittihad launched a counter-attack through Pascal Verra after he penetrated inside the penalty area and shot with his left foot, but Mahdi Soliman made a brilliant save before Zamalek's defense cleared the ball afterwards.
Zamalek wasted another opportunity in the 30th minute after a cross from Adam Kayed reached Nasser Mansi, who headed it high over Al Ittihad's goal and out of play.
Ahmed Sherif, Zamalek's winger, attempted a long-range shot in the 32nd minute, but it went wide of Al Ittihad Al Sakandary's goal and out of play.
In the 44th minute, Zamalek delivered a cross from the right flank which Ahmed Sherif met with a header, but his effort went straight into the hands of Al Ittihad goalkeeper Sobhi Soliman.
First Half.. Zamalek 0-0 Al Ittihad Al Sakandary
The first half events concluded with a goalless draw between Zamalek and Al Ittihad Al Sakandary.
Al Ittihad Al Sakandary attempted a shot through Yousri Wahid in the 55th minute, but it went over the bar of Mahdi Soliman's goal.
In the 66th minute, Adam Kayed unleashed a powerful shot from inside the penalty area, but Al Ittihad goalkeeper Sobhi Soliman made a brilliant save to parry it out for a corner kick.
Al Ittihad Misses Multiple Chances
Al Ittihad Al Sakandary nearly scored in the 68th minute after a quick counter-attack followed by a low cross that reached Joseph Armola inside the penalty area, but his shot went over Mahdi Soliman's goal.
Al Ittihad squandered the leading goal in the 77th minute after a pass from Moamen Awad reached Joseph Armola, who dribbled past goalkeeper Mahdi Soliman and fired a low shot, but El Wenesh saved his goal from a certain goal.
In the 85th minute, Al Ittihad took a corner kick towards the near post followed by a header, but Zamalek's defense managed to clear it with difficulty away from the danger zone.
Zamalek Begins Title Defense Journey with a Draw Against Al Ittihad
Both teams failed to score any goals, as Zamalek and Al Ittihad Al Sakandary settled for a goalless draw (0-0) in the Premier League opener.
Zamalek, the defending champions, had to settle for just one point at the start of their Premier League campaign.
