Al Ahly ease past Pharco FC to keep League Cup hopes alive

Al Ahly kept their Egyptian League Cup campaign alive with a 4-1 victory over Pharco FC in the group stage on Saturday.

The Cairo side dominated from the outset thanks to sharp positioning and accurate passing, exploiting space behind Pharco’s defensive lines both through the middle and down the flanks.

Al Ahly created numerous clear-cut chances in both halves and could have extended their lead further with more clinical finishing.

Hussein El Shahat opened the scoring in the 26th minute after a precise pass from Gradisar and doubled the lead in the 42nd minute.

Gradisar made it 3-0 seven minutes into the second half from an assist by El Shahat, who completed his hat-trick in the 60th minute to seal the win.

Mahmoud Farhat pulled one back for Pharco in the 66th minute.

The Egyptian League Cup, launched in the 2021–22 season, is played during international breaks and features clubs from the Egyptian Premier League.

Modern Sport won the inaugural edition, while Ceramica Cleopatra have lifted the trophy in each of the past three seasons.

The 2025–26 edition includes 21 teams divided into three groups, with the top two from each group and the two best third-placed teams advancing to the quarter-finals.

Al Ahly are in Group A alongside Ceramica Cleopatra, Ghazl El Mahalla, Arab Contractors, Pharco and Talae El Geish.

The Red Eagles opened their League Cup campaign with a 1-0 loss to ENPPI, followed by a win over Ceramica Cleopatra and a defeat to Ghazl El Mahalla, before beating Arab Contractors in the fourth round.

The Egyptian Premier League is currently on hold as the national team compete at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco from 21 December to 18 January.