LIVE: Al Ahly v Zamalek | Cairo Derby | FEB. 24th, 2020
Time: 12:30 ET CANADA-USA | 19:30 Cairo Local Time
Venue: Cairo Stadium
Al Ahly and Zamalek will meet again on Monday for the second time in less than a week after Egypt Super Cup held on Thursday in the UAE.
Tonight’s match follows the unfortunate events of the Super Cup match between the players of both teams after Zamalek won the title, which sparked angry reactions among fans. Both teams will have a big responsibility to contain that anger.
It was Al Ahly’s first title loss under Swiss coach Rene Weiler, although the Red Devils now lead the league table with 45 points from 14 consecutive victories. Al Ahly are a few steps away from their fifth league title in a row and the 42nd in history.
On the other side, Zamalek are in euphoria after landing two precious titles in a few days, the CAF Super Cup and the Egypt Super Cup, even though the team are struggling in the local league and have only collected 31 points from 15 matches, coming in third.
Al Ahly are enamored with seeking revenge to reconcile with their fans and win their 16th game in a row to match their legendary record with the Portuguese coach Manuel Jose. Cairo Derby also comes days before Al Ahly’s string clash with Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa in the quarter-finals of the CAF Champions League.
Al Ahly and Zamalek started immediately their preparations for the derby, especially as there was not enough rest after the Super Cup game. Therefore, there was controversy among fans about the possibility of postponing the match, but the EFA ruled to play it on time.
Al Ahly squad is expected to include Mohamed El Shennawy as goalkeeper; Rami Rabia, Yasser Ibrahim, or Ayman Ashraf as defenders; and Ahmed Fathi as right-back instead of Mohamed Hani, who played the Super Cup; and Ali Maaloul as left-back.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J53POjzrCFI
In the midfield, there will be Aliou Dieng, Amr El Solia, Mohamed Magdy (Afsha), or Walid Soliman. Hussein El Shahat, Geraldo, and Marwan Mohsen will play as forwards. Al Ahly’s star Ramadan Sobhi may return, having recovered from his injury.
As for Zamalek, they are expected to play with the same squad of Supr Cup: Mohamed Abu Gabal as goalkeeper; Mahmoud Hamdy El Wensh, Mahmoud Alaa, Hazem Emam, and Mohamed Abdel Shafy as defenders. In the midfield, fans should expect Tarek Hamed, Ferjani Sassi, and Achraf Bencharki, while Ahmed Sayed Ziziou, Youssef Obama, and Mostafa Mohamed will play as forwards.
LIVE: Al Ahly v Zamalek | Cairo Derby
Time: 12:30 ET CANADA-USA | 19:30 Cairo Local Time
ZAMALEK NO-SHOW: Ahly wins 2-0
