Cairo, Egypt – Al Ahly and Zamalek have set up a clash in the Egyptian Super Cup final. The Red Devils defeated Ceramica Cleopatra, while the White Knights eliminated Pyramids on penalties.
Al Ahly narrowly defeated Ceramica Cleopatra 2-1 in the Egyptian Super Cup semi-final match held at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium.
Mahmoud Hassan Trezeguet opened the scoring for Al Ahly in the 19th minute. After a cross from the right by Ahmed Sayed Zizo, he met it with a header that found the back of the net.
Marwan Osman equalized for Ceramica Cleopatra in the 41st minute after breaking through on goal. He then chipped the ball over El Shenawy and into the net.
The match intensified after Ceramica Cleopatra scored the equalizer against Al Ahly. Al Ahly almost scored in the dying moments of the second half after a cross from Trezeguet was cleared by Ceramica goalkeeper Bassam, just ahead of Al Ahly striker Gradiscar.
At the start of the second half, specifically in the 52nd minute, Slovenian player Nijc Gradiscar succeeded in scoring Al-Ahly’s second goal.
The goal came after a cross from Marwan Attia, which was met by Moroccan Ashraf Bencharki with a header cross to Gradishar, who put it into the net.
The match remained a back-and-forth affair between the two teams, but no further goals were scored, ending with Al Ahly winning 2-1.
With today’s victory, Al Ahly qualifies for the Egyptian Super Cup final for the third consecutive time. This is in the new format of the tournament, which features four teams.
With Awad’s glove, Zamalek advance to the Egyptian Super Cup final at the expense of Pyramids.
In the same round, Zamalek managed to eliminate their Egyptian rivals Pyramids. This came after they defeated them 5-4 on penalties, following a goalless draw in regulation time.
Zamalek met Pyramids at Al Nahyan Stadium in the United Arab Emirates.
The match began with pressure from Pyramids. Fiston Mayele threatened Zamalek’s goal with a low shot that goalkeeper Mohamed Awad caught in the 15th minute.
Zamalek responded with a shot from Mohamed Shehata in the 37th minute, but it went wide of the goal.
In the 41st minute of the first half, Palestinian striker Uday Dabbagh was injured, forcing Zamalek to make a forced substitution, bringing on Ahmed Sherif in his place.
In the second half, Zamalek goalkeeper Mohamed Awad shone, after saving a sure goal opportunity in the first minutes, after a dangerous touch from Ahmed Atef Qatta, from inside the penalty area.
Pyramids player Mohamed Hamdi missed a goal opportunity in the 52nd minute, after a powerful header that went over the post.
Zamalek threatened Ahmed El Shenawy’s goal in the 87th minute after Abdallah El Said passed to Seifeddine Jaziri, whose shot went just wide of the post after he was through on goal.
Everton da Silva also missed a golden opportunity for Pyramids in the 90th minute. After a perfect cross from Mohamed El Sheiby, the Brazilian winger fired the ball over the bar.
In the penalty shootout, goalkeeper Mohamed Awad was outstanding. He saved Mostafa Zico’s fifth penalty, giving Zamalek the lead. Seifeddine Jaziri then successfully converted the decisive penalty.
Zamalek will now face Al Ahly in the final, which will be held next Sunday.
