CAIRO, Egypt — Al Ahly returned to winning ways in the Egyptian Premier League with a narrow 1-0 victory over Modern Sport on Thursday, 29 October 2026, as goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir produced a crucial penalty save to preserve his side’s lead.

Omar El Saaiy scored the decisive goal in the 17th minute at Cairo International Stadium, heading home a cross from Ahmed Sayed Zizo. Shobeir then denied Ali Fawzy from the penalty spot late in the match to ensure the defending giants collected all three points.

El Saaiy gives Al Ahly the lead

Modern Sport began the contest positively, looking to unsettle Al Ahly with early attacking pressure. Shobeir was alert in the opening stages, coming off his line to deal with a dangerous through ball.

Al Ahly gradually settled into the match and began creating chances of their own. Their pressure paid off in the 17th minute when Zizo delivered an accurate cross from the right and El Saaiy rose above the defence to direct a header towards the far corner.

The ball struck the post before crossing the goal line, giving Al Ahly a 1-0 advantage.

The hosts continued to look for a second goal, but Modern Sport goalkeeper Mostafa Makhlouf made important interventions to keep his team within reach of an equaliser.

Shobeir produces decisive penalty save

Modern Sport increased their attacking efforts after the break, seeking a way back into the contest. Al Ahly, however, remained organised defensively and tried to manage their advantage.

The defining moment arrived late in the second half when Modern Sport were awarded a penalty after referee Amin Omar pointed to the spot.

Ali Fawzy stepped up, but Shobeir read the direction of the kick and dived to his right to make a vital save. The intervention preserved Al Ahly’s lead and denied Modern Sport the opportunity to take a point from the encounter.

Shobeir’s performance earned him recognition as one of the match’s key figures, with his penalty save proving decisive in the narrow victory.

Al Ahly climb to second place

The victory lifted Al Ahly to 20 points, placing them second in the Egyptian Premier League standings, one point behind leaders Pyramids FC at the time of the report.

Modern Sport remained sixth with 13 points after missing the opportunity to secure a late equaliser.

For Al Ahly, the result provided a response following their previous 3-3 league draw and underlined the importance of defensive resilience when their attacking opportunities failed to produce a wider margin.

The Cairo club will now turn their attention to their next fixtures as they look to maintain pressure on the teams above them.

Match details

• Competition: Egyptian Premier League, Round 8

• Final score: Al Ahly 1-0 Modern Sport

• Goal: Omar El Saaiy 17'

• Key moment: Mostafa Shobeir saves Ali Fawzy’s penalty late in the second half

• Venue: Cairo International Stadium, Cairo