Zamalek suffered 2-1 loss to promoted Ghazl El-Mahalla in the Egyptian Premier League on Tuesday. The Whites Thus failed to extend their lead over Al Ahly in the league.
Tunisian midfielder Ferjani Sassi, whose future at Zamalek is uncertain as his contract expires at the end of the season, headed home nine minutes past the hour mark to end Mahalla’s resistance.
However, Zamalek were punished for needlessly easing off as Abdo Yehia brought Mahalla level with a deflected shot on 77 minutes.
Sassi was sent-off after receiving a second booking for kicking an opponent in the face while attempting an overhead kick. And Mahalla made the most of a defensive mix-up deep in stoppage time to notch a decisive winner through Khaled El-Ekhmimi.
Zamalek failed to extend their lead over defending champions Ahly. They who had their league game this week postponed as they gear up for a Club World Cup clash against Qatar’s Al Duhail on Thursday.
The White Knights remain on top with 23 points, two ahead of Ahly, who have a game in hand. Mahalla moved up to 10th in the table on 11 points.