Zamalek’s newly appointed Belgian coach, Yannick Ferrera, began his tenure with a hard-fought 2-0 triumph over Ceramica Cleopatra in the Egyptian Premier League opener at Suez Canal Stadium on Friday.
Forward Nasser Maher broke the deadlock for the Cairo giants just five minutes from time, before midfielder Mohamed Shehata sealed the victory with a stunning long-range strike in stoppage time.
The 44-year-old Belgian tactician relied heavily on the club’s seasoned veterans, with Angolan winger Chico Banza the only new summer signing to feature in the starting lineup.
Ceramica Cleopatra controlled the tempo in the opening ten minutes but failed to carve out clear scoring chances, with their most threatening moment arriving just four minutes in. South African striker Fagrie Lakay latched onto a precise cross from Islam Eissa on the right side of the box, only to see his right-footed effort crash against the crossbar.
Gradually, the White Knights began to take control of the midfield, though they found it difficult to penetrate Ceramica Cleopatra’s disciplined and well-structured defense.
Five minutes before the half-hour mark, midfielder Mohamed Shehata latched onto a superb cross from veteran playmaker Abdallah El-Said in the heart of the box, but Ceramica’s new signing Amr Al-Sulaya produced a crucial block on his left-footed effort, conceding a corner.
Clear chances remained scarce for both sides throughout the rest of the first half. In stoppage time, winger Nasser Maher connected with another El-Said delivery and fired from outside the box, but his right-footed attempt drifted wide.
Zamalek came out pressing in the second half, dictating possession and tempo, yet once again struggled to carve out decisive openings, with much of the play concentrated in midfield.
Six minutes past the hour, Ferrera looked to spark his attack by introducing summer recruits — Palestinian forward Adam Kaied and Moroccan winger Abdelhamid Maali — in place of Abdallah El-Said and Chico Banza. The changes soon paid dividends.
The deadlock was finally broken six minutes from time when Nasser Maher latched onto a precise cross from Adam Kaied, firing a right-footed effort that deflected off defender Ragab Nabil and found the back of the net.
Ceramica pushed forward in a desperate bid to level the score, but Zamalek’s resolute backline stood firm, snuffing out every threat.
In stoppage time, Shehata put the result beyond doubt, intercepting the ball near the halfway line before unleashing a sensational strike from over 35 yards that sailed into the top left corner of an empty net.
Zamalek will next host Arab Contractors on Saturday, August 16, while Ceramica Cleopatra are set to face ZED FC two days earlier.
Match Highlights:
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