Live Coverage: Al Ahly v Zamalek | Cairo Derby | August 21, 2020

21:00 Cairo Local Time | 15:00 ET Canada-USA

Venue: Cairo Stadium

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Bitter rivals Ahly and Zamalek clash in the Egyptian Premier League on Saturday with an eye on a different competition — the African Champions League, where both face tricky tests in the last four as they seek to end barren spells.

For Ahly, Egypt and Africa’s most successful outfit, winning the domestic league for a fifth consecutive season appears a mere formality as they enjoy a staggering 17-point lead over second-placed Zamalek with more than half the season played.

Zamalek, on the other hand, are aware that their only realistic hope is to finish second and earn a spot in the Champions League next season.

But for the time being, both are prioritizing their ongoing Champions League campaigns, with Saturday’s derby serving as a warm-up and testament to who will have the edge when Africa’s blue-riband competition resumes next month.

Ahly will meet Wydad Casablanca, with Zamalek taking on another Moroccan side in Raja in two-legged semi-final clashes. Ahly have not won the competition since clinching the last of their record eight titles in 2013, while Zamalek are eyeing their first triumph since 2002.

Referee

The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) has said that Croatian referee Ivan Bebek will officiate Saturday’s anticipated Cairo derby between Ahly and Zamalek in the 21st round of the Egyptian Premier League.

The 43-year-old will be assisted by Goran Pataki and Ivica Modric and Fran Jovic as fourth official. Goran Gabrilo will serve as VAR referee, assisted by Tomislav Petrovic.

Bebek is familiar with Egyptian football, having supervised a 2007 derby in the Egyptian Premier League. In that game, Ahly defeated Zamalek with a single goal.

He was also one of the referees of the FIFA U-20 World Cup which Egypt hosted in 2009, refereeing a group-stage game between the hosts and Paraguay.

Zamalek hit top gear before the league’s break, winning the African Super Cup after beating Tunisia’s Esperance and defeating Ahly on penalties following a goalless draw in the Egyptian Super Cup.

Moroccan forward Achraf Bencharki stole the show then, mesmerizing opponents with his daring runs, deft touches and clinical finishing, with Tunisian midfielder Ferjani Sassi dictating play with his neat distribution of the ball and striker Mostafa Mohamed finishing powerfully in the box.

Defensive solidity was also evident, raising hopes that Zamalek could finally end their Champions League drought.

However, the White Knights have been largely sluggish since the league restarted, with the form of the likes of Bencharki and Sassi dipping, leaving canny French boss Patrice Carteron with little time to bring them back on track.

Ahly are in the driving seat of the Egyptian Premier league teams’ table with 56 points, while Zamalek are in the runners-up place with 39 points after 20 games each so far this season.

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