The stage is set for a highly anticipated showdown as Egyptian football giants, Al Ahly and Zamalek face off in the TotalEnergies CAF Super Cup 2024 final tonight in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The Kick-off is scheduled for 1800 GMT at the Arena Stadium, where these long-time rivals will battle for early-season glory and a coveted trophy.
Al Ahly, the reigning TotalEnergies CAF Champions League champions, have solidified their reputation as Africa’s dominant club. Under coach Marcel Koller, the “Red Devils” secured their fourth consecutive CAF Champions League title earlier this year, adding to their impressive tally of 44 Egyptian league titles.
Despite a relatively quiet transfer window, the club bolstered its squad with key signings, including Moroccan World Cup semifinalist, Yahia Attiyat Allah and center-back, Achraf Dari from Brest. Koller remains focused on the task at hand, saying, “Winning this title will mean a lot to us and give us a big push for the upcoming season.”
Zamalek, known as the “White Knights,” have faced a tougher road recently. They finished third in the Egyptian Premier League last season, falling 17 points behind second place, but showcased resilience by winning the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup. Over the summer, Zamalek revamped their squad with seven new signings, including promising Palestinian striker, Omar Faraj from AIK in Sweden.
Coach Gomes is confident that his team’s form and spirit will carry them through this challenge. “The match will be tough for both teams, and even the players on the bench will play a decisive role,” Gomes said.
Historically, Al Ahly has had the upper hand in African competitions, winning six of their ten encounters with Zamalek, while Zamalek has only secured one victory—coming in the 1994 Super Cup. Al Ahly’s memorable 2-1 win in the 2020 CAF Champions League final is a recent reminder of their superiority, having scored 17 goals to Zamalek’s 10 in these clashes.
With a sold-out Arena Stadium filled with passionate Egyptian and Arab fans, tonight’s match promises to be electric. Al Ahly aims for their ninth Super Cup title, while Zamalek hopes to secure their fifth, with both sides eager to claim bragging rights in this fierce rivalry.
