Zamalek can finally toast the champagne after they were officially confirmed as the Egyptian Premier League champions in a success that ended Al Ahly’s five-year hold of the title.
The White Knights secured the crown on with one game to spare when they edged already-relegated El-Entag El-Harby 2-0 on Tuesday night.
However, the curtains of the season will be drawn on Friday but Zamalek have collected 79 points after 33 games making it mathematically impossible for defending champions Ahly to catch them with 73 points.
Al Ahly played to a 3-3 draw against El Gouna in a match played at Khaled Bichara Stadium, hence handing over the title to the White Knights, as they needed at least a win and hope the leaders lose.
But it was just an empty wish as Zamalek have only lost two matches this season and they have been on top of the table since or the last 17 rounds since beating NBE Club 4-1 on 26 April.
The White Knights took the lead on the sixth minute courtesy of Zizo before Benchariki found the back of the net on the 88th minute.
The victory marked a good season since the return of Frenchman Patrice Carteron in March, and the experienced gaffer was grateful for winning the title.
“I am very happy for our supporters and for the club. It’s a great honour to win the league title in Egypt. We made a remarkable finish winning eight consecutive matches. We finished strong,” Carteron said after the game.
“The players were strong mentally and we gained a boost in confidence especially after winning deep in injury time against Talae El-Gaish and Masry. But we were also very strong physically and always had the upper hand against our opponents in the second half.”
The club’s victory was coated with an impressive 22-game unbeaten run, including an eight-match winning streak that helped them open a six points gap with Ahly.
The White Knights will next face National Bank of Egypt who will give the champions a guard of honor on Friday, in the last round of the league.
