Al Ittihad clinched a pivotal 2-1 victory over El Mokawloon at a charged Borg El Arab Stadium on Friday night, a result that could have meaningful implications as the Egypt Premier League regular season intensifies. In a match marked by slick attacking football, resilient defending, and a touch of controversy, it was the hosts who emerged with the spoils after decisive interventions from Fagr Farid and Fessou Akem.

The atmosphere was electric from kickoff, and tension was palpable after Al Ittihad’s Ahmed Mohamed saw an early strike chalked off for offside inside the first three minutes. This set the stage for the evening’s drama, while Joseph Ochaya went into the book moments later for El Mokawloon, signaling the visitors’ intent to disrupt Al Ittihad’s rhythm.

The breakthrough came in the 39th minute. Fagr Farid, latching onto a clever layoff from Fessou Akem, coolly slotted past the Mokawloon keeper to send the home crowd into raptures—a moment captured in the official match recap from a leading Egyptian football channel with over 200,000 subscribers, offering slow-motion replays and tactical breakdowns of the build-up.

El Mokawloon regrouped after the break. Strategic double substitutions at halftime injected new energy, and the visitors were rewarded for their persistence on 61 minutes. Sayed Naguib finished a sweeping move, orchestrated by a deft ball from Kelechi Onyemaechi. The equalizer shifted momentum, setting off a tense, physical battle in midfield, with yellow cards following for Canaria and Ahmed Mohamed as the contest grew feisty.

But Al Ittihad’s response was emphatic. In the 78th minute, it was Akem’s turn to find the net, benefitting from a pinpoint Canaria assist. The match recap video from the verified “Egyptian Premier League Official” YouTube channel dissects Akem’s run and composed finish from multiple camera angles, highlighting his impact throughout the match.

Key substitutions in the final third further shaped the contest, with both sides making tactical changes in search of either security or salvation. Fagr Farid, the opening scorer, received a standing ovation when substituted in the closing moments—a testament to his influence on the evening.

A late yellow for Soliman and a nervy finish could not deny Al Ittihad, who saw out stoppage time with discipline. The win not only strengthens their position in the league table but also sets an important psychological marker for a side with ambitions of contending deep into the season.

For El Mokawloon, there will be regrets—particularly after the spirited second-half rally—but also positives in their attacking cohesion and ability to threaten on the road. With official highlights from channels like “Egyptian Premier League Official” and “OnTime Sports” (both well above the 50,000-subscriber threshold and widely recognized for their credible, on-the-ground coverage) already drawing thousands of views, fans across Egypt will be poring over every frame of a match that delivered on its promise of drama and quality.