Friday sees one of the world’s biggest football rivalries as Zamalek and Al Ahly do battle in the Cairo derby at the Cairo International Stadium.
It’s this season’s first derby and fans from both sides will be waiting in anticipation as a chance to brag and rub the old enemy’s faces in it will be on the line.
As it’s been the case over the years, form is seldom relevant in determining the outcome of this big encounter.
Both teams come into the match in good form as Al Ahly defeated Ismaily 4-0 and NBE Club 1-0, while Zamalek beat both Enppi and Talae El-Geish 2-0 in the first two games of the season.
This clash between Egypt’s most popular clubs is often not a big goal-scoring affair and that should suit the White Knights as they have only managed to find the back of the net four times this season.
In recent years it’s often been the side with lesser momentum that comes out with guns blazing on the day and Al Ahly fans will be hoping that is the case again on Friday.
Zamalek will be counting on the form of their two wingers Achraf Bencharki and Ahmed Sayed Zizo as well as the cemented defence of midfielders Tarek Hamed, Mahmoud Hamdi El-Wench and Hamza El-Mathlouthi.
The five players have been having a wonderful form in the past four matches and they were instrumental in White Knights journey to this season’s CAF Champions League group stages.
Al Ahly, on their side, will be welcoming goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy who is back into the squad after recovering hamstring muscle injury in October during Egypt’s 3-0 victory over Libya in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.
Another key player back into the Red Devils squad is Malian midfielder Aliou Dieng, who is coming back after serving a one-match suspension.
South African forward Percy Tau and Mozambican midfielder Luis Miquissone are expected to shine again for Al Ahly after their superb performance in the opening two league games.
Egyptian referee will be in charge of the match this season after the derby witnessed the presence of foreign referees for a long time. Two referees Mohamed Adel and Mahmoud El Banna have been shortlisted for the game.
Friday’s encounter is destined to be an exciting affair, and despite Al Ahly’ dominance over the years in the fixture, their cross-town rivals will be eager to give their fans something to shout about.
