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Zamalek have been crowned the champions of the Egyptian Premier League following the 1-1 draw between Al Ahly and Smouha SC on Tuesday.

It is the first time that Zamalek will clinch the Egyptian title since 2004 when they last emerged champions in the North African nation and without kicking the ball on Tuesday.

Before the kickoff of the Al Ahly versus Smouha match on Tuesday Zamalek needed just a point to be crowned champions but their rivals, Al Ahly, slipped up and allowed the Giza club to win the title with two games to spare.

Al Ahly and Smouha cancelled themselves out in the first half with no goals to show for their efforts.

In the second half, Al Ahly’s Mohamed Hany turned in a clearance into his own goal to give Smouha the lead.

Hany’s own goal meant that Zamalek looked within striking distance of claiming a 12th title as Smouha held on to their one-goal lead until the last 10 minutes.

With eight minutes to time, Al Ahly levelled matters through Abdullah El-Said’s spot kick after Amr Gamal was felled in Smouha’s box by Yasser Ibrahim.

Though Smouha finished the game with 10 men after Ibrahim got sent off for a second bookable offence in added time, they had done enough to claim a point off Al Ahly and that ensured that the other Cairo club would celebrate a first league title in 11 years.

Second-placed Al Ahly have played one game more than their rivals and have 78 points, five behind newly-crowned Egyptian champions, Zamalek, who play El Geish behind closed doors yesterday.

Al Ahly have won the Egyptian league eight times on the bounce excluding two seasons when the top divisions was not held owing to unrest in the country.

Zamalek president Mortada Mansour has congratulated fans of the club following the success.

“Since I took charge of the club, there was a dirty war against me but now we’ve won the title,” Mortada said.

“I must thank my players and our fans. After 11 years we’re the champions of the Egyptian league.”

Zamalek director Ismaily Yousef is excited that they got the job done this term by winning the title.

“We did a good job this season — the players, the board and the technical staff — and now God has rewarded us with this title,” he said.— Supersport.