Ahly, Zamalek face off in historic CAF Champions League final
THE 2020 CAF Champions League final in Cairo Friday between Egyptian giants Al Ahly and Zamalek will be the first pitting rivals from one country against each other.
The match, to be held behind closed doors under the slogan “no to fanaticism”, will bring together clubs whose clashes have long dominated local and continental competitions.
Former Arab League chief Amr Moussa once described Ahly and Zamalek as Egypt’s “two largest popular parties”.
Ahly have won the Champions League eight times and been crowned Egyptian Premier League champions on 42 occasions while Zamalek have won the premier African club competition five times and have been Egyptian champions on 12 occasions.
Despite their popularity and wide fan bases, Egypt’s most successful player, Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah, never played for either club, lining up with Al Mokawloon Al Arab in Cairo instead.
The decision not to permit spectators at the 74,000-capacity Cairo International Stadium came in a joint statement by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Egyptian Football Federation (EFA).
Referring to the coronavirus pandemic, they said “their top priority was to ensure the safety of Egyptian and African football families”.
Besides health concerns, the historic rivalry between Ahly and Zamalek raised fears of clashes between supporters.
Fans should be able to watch the match on television in clubs or youth centres, but not in cafes and public places.
The rivalry between the clubs peaked in recent years, especially on social media after the 2019 Egyptian Super Cup, a match Ahly won 3-2.
Supporters of Ahly took to the street in several regions to celebrate.
“Ahly and Zamalek are like brothers,” said retired Zamalek and Egypt star Hazem Emam.
‘Raised intensity’
“(FIFA’s) decision on holding the FIFA Club World Cup in Doha next February has raised the intensity of the confrontation,” said former Ahly player Walid Salaheldin.
COVID-19 has affected both teams with Ahly’s Walid Soliman, Mahmoud ‘Kahraba’ Abdelmoneim and Saleh Gomaa and Zamalek’s Mahmoud ‘El Wensh’ Hamdy and assistant coach Medhat Abdelhady contracting the disease.
Former star Emam says Ahly have switched to “collective football” since South African coach Pitso Mosimane arrived in September, while Zamalek’s recently hired Portuguese coach Jaime Pacheco has changed little.
Mosimane has beaten Zamalek in a final – guiding Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa to a 3-1 aggregate victory in 2016.
Those he will rely on include goalkeeper Mohamed el Shennawy, Mohamed ‘Afsha’ Magdy, Tunisian Ali Maaloul, Malian Aliou Dieng and Nigerian Junior Ajayi.
“Mosimane has freed the players from restrictions imposed by former coaches, which tips the scales in his players’ favour against Zamalek’s players and their individual skills, especially (Achraf) Bencharki and Ferjani Sassi,” said Salaheldin.
Pacheco, who returned to Zamalek six years after first coaching the White Knights, said he trusted his players, their strong personalities and ability “to please the fans”.
Zamalek stars include veteran Tarek Hamed, Tunisian Sassi, Moroccan Bencharki, Ahmed ‘Zizou’ Sayed and Mostafa Mohammed.
Ahly reached the Champions League final by defeating Wydad Casablanca of Morocco 2-0 away and 3-1 at home while Zamalek overcame the other Casablanca giants, Raja, 1-0 away and 3-1 at home.
The Cairo clubs faced off in the Champions League on eight occasions with Ahly winning five matches and the other three drawn.
“(FIFA’s) decision on holding the FIFA Club World Cup in Doha next February has raised the intensity of the (CAF CL final) confrontation.”