CAIRO: When Cairo’s arch rivals Ahly and Zamalek face-off today at a sold out Cairo Stadium in round 16 of Egypt Cup, there will be more than a quarter-final spot at stake.
In the third derby of the season, each team will be looking for a victory since the previous two games ended in a 0-0 and 3-3 draws. However, this time one side must prevail eventually to proceed in the competition.
Ahly, who was recently crowned champion of the local league, will be seeking affirmation of their grip on Egyptian football by beating their rivals and advancing in the cup competition.
"We want to add the cup title to the league, winning this match is an important step to achieve this goal," said Hossam Al-Badri, Ahly’s coach.
"We are putting into consideration all possible formations and game strategies Zamalek can use by watching their recent games and studying them very well," he added.
Zamalek, on the other hand, led by Hossam Hassan, is seeking a quarter final spot but most importantly a long awaited derby victory that they failed to get last month in the league due to a late goal from Mohamed Barakat that ended the game 3-3.
Hassan will also want to confirm the breakthrough he achieved with the team, picking them from 13th place in the league table and ending the season in second spot to play in the African Champions League next yearIf Zamalek wins, it will be Hassan’s first title as a coach.
Victory for either side would be considered a moral one by their fans who will crown the victorious side champion of the season even if they don’t eventually win the cup.
In the round of 32, Ahly easily beat Nabroh in Mansoura Stadium 3-0 scored by Mohamed Fadl’s double and Ahmed Shokri. Zamalek grabbed a narrow 1-0 victory over Al Fayoum, the game’s only goal was scored by Ahmed Gaafar.
With the exception of Ahly’s Emad Meteb, both teams will not miss any of their players.
At the red devils camp, Ahmed Fathi, Sayed Moawad and Sherif Abdel Fadeel will be back from injury, while on the other side, Zamalek physicians said goal keeper, Abdel Wahed El Sayed, and play maker, Hussein Yaser Al Mohamadi, will be fit for the game despite minor injuries.
Zamalek’s last cup title was in 2008 while Ahly last cup was won in 2007.
The winner of the game will meet the winner from Petrojet and Al Rabat & Al Anwar from Portsaid on June 9.
