Zamalek SC secured their first victory under new head coach José Peseiro, defeating Enppi 3-0 at the Arab Contractors Stadium on March 4, 2025. This match marked a significant turnaround for Peseiro, who had taken the reins of Zamalek just weeks prior on February 14, 2025, and had not yet recorded a win since his appointment.
From the outset, Zamalek exhibited determination, pressing Enppi early on and controlling the game, but they struggled to create clear opportunities. Just minutes after the kickoff, striker Nasser Mansi almost broke the deadlock with a close-range effort, only to be thwarted by Enppi’s goalkeeper Abdel-Rahman Samir.
Despite Zamalek dominating possession, they faced difficulty breaking through Enppi’s solid defense, and the first half ended scoreless. Nonetheless, the urgency of Zamalek’s play prompted coach Peseiro to make tactical adjustments. Notably, he substituted Ahmed Jafeli for Mohmed Hamdi after Jafeli suffered a muscular injury during the first half.
After halftime, the changes bore fruit immediately. Peseiro took another decisive step, replacing defender Hossam Abdel-Maguid with veteran midfielder Abdallah El-Said, whose creativity would prove pivotal. Just five minutes after the restart, Zamalek was awarded a penalty for a handball by Enppi’s defender Khaled Ahmed, confirmed by VAR. El-Said stepped up to take the penalty, calmly slotting the ball past the goalkeeper to put Zamalek up 1-0.
The momentum shifted entirely following El-Said’s goal, and Mansi soon doubled Zamalek’s lead from a perfectly placed cross by Moroccan fullback Mahmoud Bentayg, scoring with just his head. Zamalek continued to apply pressure, with El-Said at the heart of their attacking plays.
The clincher came deep in stoppage time. El-Said completed his brace with another clinical finish after receiving a cutback from substitute Seif Gaafar, effectively sealing the game at 3-0 and providing Zamalek fans with relief and excitement. This victory solidifies Zamalek’s position at third place with 32 points, trailing leaders Pyramids FC by seven points and arch-rivals Ahly by four points, both teams with games still to play.
Meanwhile, Enppi remains mired near the bottom of the league, sitting at 17th with just 12 points to their name. The loss adds to their struggles and leaves them facing relegation worries as the season progresses.
Overall, the match was not only pivotal for Zamalek but also brought about much-needed confidence and momentum for Peseiro's tenure. 2 points offer hope and possibility as they aim for the title, retaining aspiration at the top of the Egyptian Premier League.