In a captivating encounter at Cairo Stadium, Al Ahly SC, one of Egypt's most illustrious football clubs, faced off against Olympic El Qanah FC on October 21, 2026, in the seventh round of the Egyptian Premier League. The match, which ended in a thrilling 3-3 draw, showcased the intense competition within Egyptian football and highlighted the impactful contributions from Moroccan players. This remarkable game elevated Al Ahly to second place in the league standings with 17 points, trailing the leaders, Pyramids FC, by four points, while El Qanah climbed to 11th place with 8 points.
The match began with an early goal from Al Ahly’s Omar El Saaie, who netted in the 18th minute, thanks to an assist from Mohamed Hany. However, El Qanah responded fiercely, equalizing in the 32nd minute with a stunning strike from Moudy Shalata, leaving Al Ahly's goalkeeper, Mostafa Shobeir, powerless to intervene. Just before half-time, Moroccan forward Achraf Bencharki put Al Ahly back in the lead at the 43rd minute, showcasing his skill and precision.
As the second half unfolded, El Qanah's determination shone through when they equalized again at the 54th minute, courtesy of Hazem Abdel Sattar, who capitalized on a rebound. The match took another dramatic turn in the 80th minute, when Al Ahly's defender Yassin Marei inadvertently scored an own goal while attempting to clear the ball, giving El Qanah a surprising 3-2 lead.
With time running out and the pressure mounting, Moroccan defender Achraf Dari emerged as the hero for Al Ahly, scoring a crucial equalizer in the 90+3rd minute with a header that barely crossed the line before El Qanah’s defense could react. This last-minute goal allowed Al Ahly to salvage a point from the encounter, albeit with the feeling of having escaped a more damaging defeat.
This match not only highlighted the competitive spirit of the Egyptian Premier League but also emphasized the significant role of Moroccan players within the league, particularly in terms of their ability to influence the outcome of high-stakes matches.
As reported by goal.com.
