Ahly v Zamalek Egypt Cup 2015 | Cairo Derby Preview
Team News:
Al Ahly SC news
Ahly came back from being a goal down to beat a resilient Petrojet side 3-1 on Wednesday and reach the Egypt Cup final as they bid to win the competition for the first time since 2007.
Gabon striker Evona and Egyptian midfielder Ghaly are in doubt for Zamalek clash.
Ahly have been boosted by the return of Ghanaian striker John Antwi ahead of Egypt Cup’s final clash against Zamalek next Monday, assistant coach Ahmed Ayoub said on Friday.
The Red Devils’ new recruit had a flying start, scoring five goals in three games before sustaining an ankle injury against Esperance of Tunisia in a Confederation Cup game last August.
“Antwi has fully recovered from his injury and has begun full trainings with the team today. He will be ready for Monday’s game,” Ayoub told reporters after Friday’s training session.
Meanwhile, Gabon’s striker Malick Evouna and inspirational midfielder Hossam Ghaly are a major doubt for the game.
Evouna has been dropped from Wednesday’s semi-final tie against Petrojet 3-1 due to a muscle strain while Ghaly had to be pulled off the game after 30 minutes.
“It will be hard for Evouna and Ghaly to catch the game. We are not sure yet about them but he won’t take any risks with injuries against Zamalek,” Ayoub concluded.
After beating Petrojet to reach the Egypt Cup final, Ahly coach Fathi Mabrouk said he was concentrating on victory not the performance.
“Victory was more important for me more than the performance,” Mabrouk said in the post game press conference.
“People won’t accept a loss even if the players perform well.”
“Ahly are like Real Madrid and Barcelona, as they also play less dominant matches but manage to achieve targets,” the Ahly tactician added.
CAIRO DERBY STATS
Zamalek SC news
Zamalek edged out Smouha on penalties at Alexandria Stadium to set up a clash with arch-rivals Ahly in the Egypt Cup final.
When Zamalek won the Egypt Cup the past two seasons, they never came across arch foes Ahly. If they are to win a third straight title they might have to dispatch their nemesis this time around.
The Cairo giants, who ended an 11-year wait for an elusive Premier League crown after ending the hegemony of Ahly last season, are eager to complete the double while their rivals are desperate not to end the season without a domestic title.
Kahraba is ready for Al Ahly:
Dazzling attacking midfielder Mahmoud Kahraba put in an electrifying performance to inspire Zamalek to a 4-1 home win over South Africa’s Orlando Pirates that helped the Cairo club finish on top of their group in the African Confederation Cup.
Abdel-Moneim “Kahraba”, whose nickname means “electricity” in English, an expression of his typical lively displays, completed the rout in the second half and had a hand in three goals, providing two direct assists.
Kahraba joined Zamalek in the summer from ENPPI after ending loan spells with Swiss sides Luzern and Grasshopper
Genesh the hero will guard Zamalek net
Understudy keeper Mahmoud “Genesh” was the hero as Zamalek edged out Smouha on penalties
The Zamalek keeper managed to thwart the Alexandrians three times in the penalty shootout after pulling off some crucial saves to keep a clean sheet during the 90 minutes.
Genesh will be a first choice for Ferreira on Egypt Cup Final.
Zamalek coach Jesualdo Ferreira has asserted that his team does not fear arch-rivals Ahly, with 3 possible finals against them coming up (CAF CC, Egypt Cup & Egypt Super Cup).
“The team don’t fear facing Ahly in any competition. We are only focused on winning trophies,” Ferreira told reporters
Chairman & Manager fight?
Club chairman Mortada Mansour has said that he is angry with coach Jesualdo Ferreira and believes the Portuguese tactician is sidelining the club’s stars.
“I sent a message to Ferreira with the team’s football director Ismail Youssef that I am very annoyed with his starting lineups choices,” Mansour told a television programme after the Smouha game.
“Ferreira is working to not allow stars to appear in the team. He always punishes Ayman Hefny, Ahmed Hassan Mekky and Mostafa Fathi,” the Zamalek chairman added.
“I can’t agree with changing the starting lineup every game. He always sidelines players after they shine during games,”
“Ferreira has to give the team’s players a chance to improve themselves during the games,” he said.
“Yes I interfere in the technical affairs, that is what I did last season to win the league. If it wasn’t for that, we wouldn’t have won the title,” the controversial figure added.
“I am responsible for the football team as it’s part of the whole organisation that I manage.”
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