CAIRO: Football fans are in a state of emergency in anticipation of Sunday night’s Cairo derby between Ahly and Zamalek.
Everybody is seeing red – or white, as the case may be. Tickets are already sold out for the fiercest and spellbinding match, as FIFA described it.
This time, the derby is like no other: It is the opener of the African Champions League group stage matches and the season opener for both Egyptian football powerhouses.
Tensions are at a peak between both clubs fans after a controversial transfer season, which saw each club snatching players sometimes right from under the nose of the other, at times spoiling deals for the opposing club.
Preparing for the game, Ahly underwent a training camp in Germany and played three friendlies against third division and amateur teams, winning with major margins. The Red Devils then tested themselves against second division side Kaiserslautren and drew 1-1.
Still, the team’s technical staff expressed their satisfaction with the camp, saying they benefited from it. The team then returned to Cairo and continued its training behind closed doors.
In the other corner, Zamalek started its training camp in Alexandria at the Naval Academy for one week before moving to Sixth of October City. The team played four friendlies against local teams, beating Haras El-Hodood and El-Geish but drew with Tersana and Ahli Bank.
Both teams will put to the test the new additions to their squads. Ahly signed Ahmed Hassan, the national team s captain, Qatari player Hussein Yasser El Mohamady, striker Ahmed Hassan Farag from Ghazl El Mahalla and Sayed Moawad, the national team s left winger.
Zamalek signed German Riner Hollman as their new coach, replacing Rud Croll. They also welcomed former Zamalek player Tarek Yehia as the new general manager.
On the field, Ghana s first striker Junior Agogo from Nottingham Forest, Ayman Abd El Aziz from Ginchlerberlgi and Hani Saied from Ismaili are the most significant additions to the team.
However, it will be difficult to judge their skills from their first match as they will need time to adjust their chemistry with other players.
Likely to affect the game are absentees including injured Ahly star Mohamed Abou Trika and Zamalek’s suspended champion Shikabala as well as striker Amr Zaki, who is on the brink of a move to Wigan Athletic in England.
Security is on high alert. Hidden cameras will be monitoring the fans to spot potential “trouble makers. There will be a heavy security presence at the stadium gates and among the fans to prevent clashes.
The referee of the game, Coofy Codja from Benin, is an experienced referee and has arbitrated a number of matches in Egypt.
Be that as it may, the teams are not expected to give their best performance since it is the first game of the season and the players will not be in their best shape. The tension surrounding the showdown is also likely to affect their performance.
Fans will especially focus on Ahly s newest member Ahmed Hassan as well as Zamalek s Junior Agogo, who are expected to live up to the hype surrounding them and prove they are worth the money spent in exchange for their skills.
It is still unclear whether Emad Meteb, who recently signed a three-year contract with Bristol City, will take part in the game. It is rumored that the striker wants to participate; however, Ahly s Coach Manuel Jose wants to field those who are guaranteed to continue playing with the team.
Hani Saied’s participation is not confirmed since he only started training this week after a transfer that happened over a long period of time.
Regardless of the participating players, this match is sure to keep football fanatics on the edge of their seats.
