John Okoli: Nigerian striker inspires Arab Contractors to famous win over Cleopatra

John Okoli continued with an impressive start to new Egyptian Premier League season on Friday as he was instrumental in Arab Contractors’ hard fought 2-1 win over Ceramica Cleopatra.

The match day five of the new Egyptian top flight season was held at the newly refurbished Arab Contractors Stadium in Cairo and Abdulrahman Khaled Jabneh opened the score sheet for the Wolves in the 38th minutes with curling effort from set piece.

The hosts could jabe doubled their lead with a minute to end the first half, no thanks to Omar Fathi’s profligacy as he failed to guide header well from Okoli’s low cross.

Cleopatra grew into the game in the second half and were rewarded with the equalizer with six minutes after the hour mark when two of the Mohameds combined well in the final third. It was Adel who finish off a delivery from Shokry.

As the GAM wears on, the Contractors went gun blazing with the attack with the hope of avoiding second straight defeats after their Cup loss to Ahly.

They however left it late till the 84th minutes to score the winner and dashed the hope of Ceramica Cleopatra from claiming a point in the match despite defending well for most parts of it.

It was a perfect build up from the rear with about four player working it out before Ugandan Joseph Ochanya smashed home from Edward Cordoba.

The victory was widely celebrated by the Contractors faithful including the president and directors of the club who celebrated with the team in the dressing room.

The second victory of the season has however pushed Aran Contractors to seventh on the log with six points from four games.  They will next make a trip to face Pyramids in their next game.