New-look Egyptian Zamalek stumble against El-Entag El-Harby in season opener

A rejuvenated Zamalek side failed to meet the expectations as they were held to a 1-1 draw on Saturday by El-Entag El-Harby in their season debut.

New Montenegrin coach Nebojša Jovović has fielded 8 new recruits to bolster the team who fired blank last season.

However they were stunned as early as the 9th minute when Ahmed Shedid sent a long ball to Omar El-Said, just outside the area, to feint past defenders and shoot at the right bottom side of the goal.

It didn’t took much for the White to react as new Congolese striker Kabongo Kasongo netted the equaliser in the 27th minute after taking advantage of a blunder by defender Loai Wael to skip past the keeper and score in the empty nets.

He could have doubled his tally a few minutes later after being set up to a one-on-one with the keeper but his poor effort was blocked.

Zamalek pressed hard and Jovovic kept on bringing on new faces like wingers Ahmed Madbouli and Abdallah Gomaa additionally to striker Bassem Morsi to claim a winner but that was in vain.

Earlier in the day, Ismaily battled back from 2-1 down to beat hosts Ittihad of Alexandria 4-2 at the end of 90 minutes.

The Dervishes scored three goals in 16 minutes through Moussa Camara 76, Richard Baffour 80 and Ibrahim Hassan 90 to cancel an early lead from Ahmed El-Alfy, 14, and Camacho, 36. Source: Ahram online