The Egyptian Zamalek and Al-Ahly derby gained a great reputation throughout the Arab world for many decades, and whoever loves this atmosphere always had to go to the Cairo International Stadium to be with more than a hundred thousand spectators. There, the roar of the stands dominated the areas, while the capital, Cairo, was On the contrary, you live for ninety minutes of silence, as everyone stays in front of the television screen to watch the match and listen to the commentary of Captain Latif, the most famous Arab commentator in history.
The giants of Arab and African football, they won the two continental titles in 1994, and with the introduction of the African Super Cup only one season before that year, Al-Ahly and Zamalek set out for the jungle.The African continent“Towards South Africa to compete in the Super Cup final, an event that the Egyptian fans have never experienced before. The big derby is being played for the first time outside the Egyptian borders.
Other than this rare event, the “Egyptian El Clásico” returned to play as usual in Egyptian lands. Years passed and events followed, until the era of professionalism and marketing began, and just like European football, and given the huge fan base enjoyed by Al-Ahly and Zamalek in the Arab world, it was natural for the competition to move on. Al-Masryia is outside the borders, as they faced each other in the Egyptian Super Cup tournaments four times in the Emirati territories, confrontations that met with unparalleled success, and exciting matches that increased the marketing value of the two teams among the Arab fans.
Although the Egyptian Super Cup was limited to the league and cup champions, before it expanded to include the runners-up in both tournaments, the importance of playing the Egyptian Cup final was greater, and equal in value to that first confrontation in the African Super Cup.
The appointment is renewed
Through the “Riyadh Season” activities, Saudi Arabia hosted the grand final that took place on behalf of the Egyptian 2022-23 season. The overlapping tournaments and the crowded Egyptian agenda forced the postponement of the match until March of the year 2024. The Saudi capital was witness to a new “Classico” between the two giants, during which Al-Ahly was able to snatch victory in the fatal moments with two consecutive goals, from Emam Ashour (84) and Magdy Afsha (90 + 4), to crown Al-Ahly with its 39th title in the history of the prestigious tournament.
After nearly six months since that date, the two teams returned to set a new date in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, and this time in a repeat of the scene of the year 1994, the African Super Cup again between Al-Ahly, the champion of the Champions League, and Zamalek, who won the Confederation Cup.
Al-Ahly fans seemed comfortable with the match date.”The red genieHe made distinguished deals during the summer transfer period, and the strength of the team was only known for more. The Swiss Kohler maintained all the elements that won the Egyptian League, Champions League and Egypt Cup titles, specifically at the expense of Zamalek.
As for the Zamalek fans, they marched as usual, not caring about the previous loss in the cup tournament, confident that their team could achieve the desired goal, even if it did not have as many stars as its competitor, and did not make those big deals expected at the beginning of the season.
In the “Kingdom Arena” stadium, the fans marched to the modern stadium, with Al-Ahly fans taking their usual place, “Third North,” and the large stadium was covered in red, raising the image of the “genie” who would come at any moment to end the battle, regardless of its circumstances, and win the usual title.
While Zamalek, they took root in “Thalatha Yameen” and raised two giant pictures of its stars, in whose ability they always believe in achieving victory, no matter how difficult. Before the “masked white knight” appeared in front of the “pyramids”, in a symbolic image of the combat that characterizes the team.
Moment of truth
The moment of truth came and the match began.. Zamalek’s desire was clear to attack and score, but El-Shenawy’s net remained white and unharmed, while Al-Ahly’s attempts – despite their fewness – culminated in a penalty kick, which the VAR awarded after a while before play continued. The Libyan referee’s whistle stirred the Zamalek players. .. A threat to withdraw, then a violent attack on the referee after the final whistle of the first stage.
Al-Ahly, which came out ahead with Wissam Abu Ali’s goal, appeared as if it was guaranteed to win, waiting for time to pass, strange adjustments from coach Kohler, in contrast to his competitor Gomez, who strengthened Zamalek’s offensive power, and as the minutes passed, the pace of the attack increased more and more. The final twist of the match witnessed the entry of Nasser Mansi at the 76th minute, increasing the tension in the stands of Zamalek, and with it the feeling that the victory was being lost little by little.
Only one minute was enough for Nasser Mansi to prove that he was right. An excellent penetration by captain Omar Jaber from the right side, and a low cross this time… Rami Rabiaa failed to clear the ball, and Yasser Ibrahim, the other Al-Ahly center back, did not read the situation well. Mansi pounced on the ball and confidently and skillfully diverted it into El-Shenawy’s goal.
Mansi received the Man of the Match award after the goal and scoring the penalty kick. After the end of the match, Nasser stopped to talk to win winwho seemed happy with the coronation as he answered questions, stressing: “What happened today is by God’s grace… As for me, I came to the match with great focus. I have been dreaming of this match for two weeks. When I entered the field, I was looking to score, as this is my duty as a striker.” When Omar took off Jaber from the right side, I was waiting for that cross. We practice it and apply it in matches. It is true that most of the passes were always high for headed balls, but this time it was medium and closer to the ground, and I scored the desired goal and we achieved a draw.”
Zamalek and Al-Ahly… a game of nerves
It was a game of nerves in the penalty shootout, but Mansi remained confident in himself: “Yes, we were determined to win, and here the players’ concentration was high with every kick. Awad’s save from Al-Ahly’s third ball brought us closer to victory, which actually came. This victory is the gift he deserves.” The great Zamalek fans always deserve the best, and we promise them more.”
Zamalek forces a draw, and leads the match to a penalty shootout, amid unprecedented shouts and support from its fans, who lived on their nerves. Moments before the start of the “Game of Fortune” in which Zamalek was more comfortable than its opponent, and this was evident in shooting the penalty shootout.
Tunisian Hamza Mathlouthi confirmed in an exclusive interview with win win After the match, he said: “We practiced shooting balls from the penalty spot. This was one of the options by which the result could be decided. Zamalek today was up to the occasion. We played a great match and we were the better side, especially in controlling the ball. It is true that The penalty kick awarded to Al-Ahly scattered the cards a little, but we regained our confidence and entered the second half with greater focus, and in the end we achieved the desired goal. Zamalek fans deserved this victory in this way, and we hope to give them more.”
It was one of the immortal nights in the history of Zamalek, in which it brought back memories of the first external victory over Al-Ahly in 1994, and snatched a title that many thought was beyond the reach of the White Knight, but the end of the story was written by Zamalek in golden letters, which will give them a great revival at the beginning of the difficult season to compete for local titles. And African.
