In January and February, a series of sensational football records were broken, ending non-winning streaks for some football teams.
In January, the Egyptian national team qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations final in Gabon, while Zamalek SC won the local Super Cup.
A lot of numbers and records were broken during the last 42 days.
Daily News Egypt shed light on the most prominent events and games, which can be called “breaking the jinx.”
Egypt ends 15-year jinx against Tunisia
The Egyptian national team beat its Tunisian counterpart 1-0 in a friendly match held in early January at the Cairo International Stadium, in preparation for the Africa Cup of Nations. It was the first win of the Pharaohs on the Carthage Eagles since 2002, when Zamalek midfielder Hazem Emam scored against Tunisia in the Africa Cup of Nations held in Mali. Egypt managed to end the non-winning streak against Tunisia, which lasted for 15 years, during which Tunisia beat Egypt in four games.
Egypt breaks 31-year jinx against Morocco
Egypt achieved a historic victory over Morocco in the Africa Cup of Nations’ quarter-final in Gabon, thanks to Mahmoud Kahraba’s late goal at Port Gentil Stadium, which broke a long non-winning streak against the Atlas Lions since 1986, when Al-Ahly midfielder Taher Abu Zeid scored against them in the Africa Cup of Nations semi-final.
Cameroon ends 15-year jinx against Egypt
Cameroon won the Africa Cup of Nations title for the fifth time in its history after beating the Egyptian national team 2-1 in the final match held at the Friendship Stadium in Libreville, Gabon. The dramatic win ended a non-winning streak that lasted for 15 years against Egypt, since Patrick Mboma scored the winning goal against the Pharaohs in the quarter-final of the Africa Cup of Nations 2002 held in Mali. During the last 15 years, the Lions team was beaten by Egypt in four consecutive games.
Zamalek beats Al-Ahly in Super Cup for the first time
Zamalek SC won the local Super Cup for the third time in its history at the expense of its rival Al-Ahly 3-1 in a penalty shootout. The Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi witnessed the first Super Cup title for the White Knights against the Red Devils in the history of the tournament. Cairo giants met in four Super Cup games since it was launched in 2001, and Al-Ahly managed to win them all.
