Zamalek scraped their way into the Egypt Super Cup final with a dramatic 5-4 penalty shootout win over Pyramids FC, after a 1-1 deadlock in regular time in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.
Pyramids’ winger and former Zamalek player, Mostafa Fathi, saw his penalty saved by Zamalek keeper Mohamed Awad, while the White Knights calmly converted all five of their spot-kicks.
Ibrahim Adel opened the scoring for Pyramids in the 14th minute, but Zamalek’s Tunisian striker Seif Jaziri leveled the match five minutes before halftime.
Despite dominating much of the game, Pyramids were unlucky, with Ramadan Sobhi’s penalty rattling the crossbar and bouncing off Awad. Their frustrations peaked when Youssef ‘Obama’ Ibrahim’s late goal was ruled offside after a VAR check, leaving Pyramids heartbroken.
Zamalek entered the match without key players Nabil ‘Dunga’ Emad and in-form fullback Omar Gaber, both sidelined with muscle injuries. Their absence was felt, as replacements Zeyad Kamal and Mohamed Shehata struggled to match their impact.
Pyramids FC dominated the midfield, leading to Ibrahim Adel’s simple close-range goal, set up by Ramadan Sobhi. Despite being outplayed in the middle of the park, Zamalek managed to respond when Nasser Maher brilliantly assisted Seif Jaziri for an easy tap-in, leveling the score.
In the second half, Pyramids FC squandered a chance to take the lead when Sodiq Ougola won a penalty after a foul by Zamalek’s Moroccan fullback, Mahmoud Bentayg, but Ramadan Sobhi failed to convert.
Though Pyramids FC continued to dominate possession, their inability to finish almost cost them late on, when Konrad Michalak set up Ahmed ‘Zizo’ Sayed, whose shot was denied by Pyramids keeper Ahmed El-Shennawy.
A last-minute header from substitute Youssef ‘Obama’ Ibrahim was ruled offside after a VAR review, sending the game to a penalty shootout, where Zamalek emerged victorious 5-4.
Zamalek will now face the winner of Ahly vs. Ceramica Cleopatra on Thursday, October 24, in the final.
