Al Ahly defeated Ittihad of Alexandria 2-1 away from home in the Egyptian Premier League on Thursday, four days before they meet perennial rivals Zamalek in the Cairo derby.

Moroccan defender Badr Benoun converted a penalty in the 50th minute to give Ahly the lead after a drab first half. And playmaker Magdi Afsha doubled the lead six minutes later with a close-range header.

Substitute striker Mohamed El-Sabahi pulled one back for the hosts in stoppage time. But it was too little, too late as Ahly held on for a valuable win following a draw with Gouna and a stunning loss to promoted Ghazl El-Mahalla in their previous two matches.

In the other game, Zamalek Beat Smouha at home on the same score to maintain their four-point advantage.

Achraf Bencharki’s powerful header in the first half was quickly canceled out by Smouha’s on-loan winger Mostafa Fathi, who refused to celebrate after netting against his parent club.

However, key defensive midfielder Tarek Hamed scored a rare goal three minutes before the break to settle an end-to-end affair in Zamalek’s favour as they were given a boost before facing rivals and nearest challengers Ahly in the Cairo derby on Monday.

Bencharki continued to steal the show with an all-around display to take his tally to 10 league goals and move joint top in the league’s scoring chart.

Zamalek, who were held to draws by Arab Contractors and Pyramids FC in their previous two games, are on top of the table on 44 points, four clear of Ahly, who still have two games in hand.

Smouha, who tasted their second defeat of the season, dropped to seventh with 29 points.