Al Ahly vs Zamalek | CAF Champions League | African Derby 07-24-2013
Kick off at 16:30 local time at Gouna stadium
All sights are set on Egypt’s Gouna, venue of the Egyptian – African derby that gathers eternal rivals Zamalek and Al Ahly. The Cairo giants clash together in their Orange CAF Champions League Group A first game, a match that was delayed for 72 hours and moved to an unfamiliar venue due to security reasons.
This is the second year running that both teams clash at the same stage. The arch rivals met at the mini league last year with Al Ahly winning 1-0 before they settled to a 1-1 draw.
Al Ahly went on to win the title at the end; a feat they achieved every time they met their rivals before in the Champions League. Both sides clashed in the semi final of the 2005 edition, and at the group stage of 2008, with Al Ahly proceeds to win the title on both occasions.
The Wednesday game marks the seventh Champions League Cairo derby, with Al Ahly winning 4 and drawing 2 of the past six games. Zamalek is yet to win an African derby.
Zamalek coach Helmi Toulan
“Derby games are always unpredictable. But I like to start with such big games. If we won that would be a huge boost to my players. I know it’s going to be tough but we’ll do our best.
“Fasting will have a huge impact on the players especially at such a high temperature. It will affect the player’s energy and stamina of course.”
Ahly coach Mohamed Youssef
“It’s a derby, and anything can happen. We aim only at winning, but we look to the match as a single game. We still have other 5 games to qualify and defend our title successfully.”
Kick off at 16:30 local time at Gouna stadium, with Algerian Djamel Haimoudi as the match referee.
