CAIRO: Zamalek lost 3-2 to relegation candidates Telecom Egypt on Monday, endangering the Cairo giants’ hope of a second place ranking.
The Whites defeat and Ismaili s 1-0 win over Harras Al-Hodoud meant that the Dervishes took over in the runner-up spot after champions Ahly, who drew 0-0 with Al Gaish.
Mohamed Fadl s winner in Ismailia helped Ismaili level on 53 points with Zamalek, but the Dervishes have a better goal difference.
On the other hand, Telecom s victory boosted their chances of survival, as they jumped to 11th place with 31 points.
Zamalek ended the first half as victors as Gamal Hamza broke the deadlock seven minutes from the break.
However, Telecom made a courageous comeback in the second-half, inspired by a superb performance from Nigerian striker Abdel Wahed Abdel Aziz, who assisted a goal and scored another. .
Shortly after the break, Abdel Aziz capitalized on a fatal error by Wissem El-Abdi, who lost possession to the Telecom forward.
Zamalek goalie Abdel Wahed Al-Sayed blocked a penalty, but Telecom’s Diaa Abdel Rahman notched in on the rebound in the 70th minute.
Four minutes later, Hamza added his second of the game with a magnificent curling shot from 25 yards out, a contender for goal of the season.
