Ayew rescues Zamalek coach

Ayew scored his first goal for Zamalek

Ghana midfielder Ibrahim Ayew has given beleaguered Zamalek coach Henri Michel some respite by sealing the win in a hard-fought 3-2 victory over a brave Military production side in the Egyptian Premier League on Saturday.

 
An own goal from Ayman Al-Muhammadi gifted Zamalek an early lead before further strikes from Sherif Ashraf and Ayew left the hosts with a mountain to climb.

Ayew raced onto a neat Mido flick to break clear of defence and slot home with aplomb for his first goal since joining in the close season.

Production pulled one back 15 minutes before the break, thanks to a goal from former Zamalek midfielder Mohamed Aboul-Ella.

They couldn't break the resistance of goalkeeper Abdul-Wahed Al-Sayed until stoppage time when Mohamed Zaki scored from close range.

Zamalek snapped a three-match winless streak to ease the pressure on Frenchman Michel, who would have probably lost his job if the Cairo giants failed to win.

The White Knights, who won the last of their 11 league titles in 2004, moved into fifth spot in the table with 11 points, six behind leaders and arch-rivals Ahli who have a game in hand.

Production's second successive defeat leaves them in the eighth spot on nine points.