The title race in the Egyptian Premier League has heated up after Al Ahly's 3-1 win over hosts Misr El-Makasa on Thursday and Pyramids' victory over Border Guards, allowing them to continue challenging leaders Zamalek with just one round left in the first stage of the season.

Al Ahly boosted their tally to 40 points from 19 matches, sitting third on goal difference behind leaders Zamalek—who face Alexandria Union tomorrow Friday—and second-placed Pyramids.

Misr El-Makasa's struggles continued, stuck at 18 points in 17th place.

Misr El-Makasa defender Mustafa Jamal received a red card in stoppage time for fouling substitute Ashraf Ben Sharqi en route to goal.

Mahmoud Hassan (Trezeguet) opened Al Ahly's scoring in the 35th minute with a close-range header from an Imam Ashour cross.

Ashour doubled the lead in the 73rd, collecting a pass from Ben Sharqi in midfield before advancing into the box and rifling a powerful shot into the net.

Mohamed Salem pulled one back for Misr El-Makasa in the 86th with a direct strike into the right corner past keeper Mustafa Shoubeir.

Hussein El Shahat sealed Al Ahly's win with the third goal in the fourth minute of stoppage time.

In the same time slot, Pyramids won 3-1 at Border Guards, awakening the African Champions League winners from their previous defeat to Zamalek.

Pyramids reached 40 points, while Border Guards stayed at 17 in 18th.

Marwan Hamdi put Pyramids ahead in the 42nd with a close-range header from Mohamed El Shebei's throw-in into the box.

Mahmoud Abdel Hafiz (Zlakah) made it 2-0 in the 62nd, before Mohamed Ashraf (Roqa) pulled one back for Border Guards from a penalty that Pyramids keeper Ahmed El Shenawy saved, only for the rebound to be converted.

Youssef Obama sealed Pyramids' win three minutes from time with a close-range finish.

In other matches at the same time, Ceramica Cleopatra secured fourth with a 2-2 draw against visitors Al Ahly Bank.

Ceramica reached 38 points in fourth, Al Ahly Bank 26 in eighth.

Mahmoud El Gazar gave Al Ahly Bank the lead after 11 minutes with a long-range strike into the right corner.

Ceramica equalized through Amr Qalawa in the 56th, then took the lead four minutes later via Ayman Saad.

Ahmed Yasser Rayan leveled for Al Ahly Bank in the 76th.

Tala'ea El Gaish won 2-1 at Petrojet, reaching 19 points in 15th; Petrojet stayed at 25 in 10th.

Amr Tarek and Ismail Ourgui scored for Tala'ea in the 56th and 82nd; Ahmed Bahbah replied in stoppage time.