By Mark Ogagan
The stage is set for an epic clash as Al Ahly and Zamalek, Egypt’s two biggest football clubs, go head-to-head in the TotalEnergies CAF Super Cup 2024 final on Friday night in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
With kick-off at the Arena Stadium set for 1800 GMT, the match promises to be a thrilling showdown between these long-time rivals, who are both vying to start their seasons with a major trophy.
Al Ahly, the reigning CAF Champions League winners, have firmly established themselves as the dominant force in African club football.
Under the guidance of coach Marcel Koller, the “Red Devils” secured their fourth consecutive CAF Champions League title earlier this year, adding to their already impressive haul of 44 Egyptian league championships.
Despite a relatively quiet transfer window, Ahly strengthened their squad with the signings of Moroccan World Cup semifinalist Yahia Attiyat Allah and center-back Achraf Dari from Brest. Koller, however, remains focused on the immediate task at hand.
“Winning the title will mean a lot to us and give us a big push for the upcoming season,” Koller said in his pre-match press conference.
“There’s no difference between local and international games. We’re excited to face Zamalek and will give our best to secure the trophy.”
Zamalek, known as the “White Knights,” have faced a tougher path recently. Despite a third-place finish in the Egyptian Premier League last season, trailing second place by a significant 17 points, they managed to capture the CAF Confederation Cup, demonstrating their resilience and determination.
The summer saw them rejuvenate their squad with seven new signings, including promising young Palestinian striker Omar Faraj from AIK in Sweden. Coach Gomes is confident that his team’s current form and spirit will carry them through.
“The match will be tough for both teams,” Gomes acknowledged.
“Even the players on the bench will play a decisive role. Winning this title will boost the players’ confidence and set the stage for future success.”
In their previous African encounters, Al Ahly have largely had the upper hand, winning six out of ten matches, with Zamalek securing just one victory.
Notably, Zamalek’s lone win came in the 1994 Super Cup, while Ahly clinched a memorable 2-1 victory in the 2020 CAF Champions League final. The “Red Devils” have scored 17 goals to Zamalek’s 10 in these fixtures, underscoring their attacking prowess.
With the stakes high and a sold-out Arena Stadium brimming with Egyptian and Arab fans, tonight’s match promises to be an electrifying affair.
Both teams will be eager to claim bragging rights and add another prestigious trophy to their collections. Al Ahly will be looking to extend their dominance with a ninth Super Cup title, while Zamalek hope to clinch their fifth.
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