Al Ahly have clinched the 2023 Egypt Cup after beating arch-rivals Zamalek 2-0 in the final held at the Al-Awwal Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Friday.
The final of the 2023 Egypt Cup was held four months after the semi-finals, which saw the Reds beat ENPPI 3-0, while Zamalek overcame Pyramids on penalties after a 3-3 draw.
Marcel Koller had to enter the game without the services of new striker Wessam Abou Ali as well as Ahmed Nabil Kouka, who joined the injury list alongside Aliou Dieng, Yasser Ibrahim, and Mohamed El-Shennawy.
Meanwhile, Zamalek reinforced by new manager Jose Gomes saw his starting lineup include new marquee signing Abdallah El-Said as he looked to win his first trophy in Egypt. The first-half was very cagey, with Amr El-Sulya first having a shot deflected above the crossbar before a counter-attack led by Zizo saw his effort denied by Shobier.
The remainder of the half didn’t witness any real chances; however, Zizo was forced off with an injury after a tackle from Karim Walid. The substitutions made an effect as in the 84th minute, Afsha played a perfect pass to Emam Ashour, who hit the ball with a first-time volley into the back of Awad’s net.
The referee initially disallowed the goal for offside but after a lengthy VAR inspection, the decision was overturned and the goal stood. Koller then brought on Anthony Modeste and Akram Tawfik for Kahraba and El-Shahat to preserve his lead in the 93rd minute.
A minute later, Afsha killed off the tie as a counter-attack led by Marwan Ateya and Emam Ashour saw the latter pass the ball to Afsha, whose effort from the outside of the box beat Awad. The goal ensured a 2-0 win for Al Ahly and a 39th title Egypt Cup title for the Reds as they now defended their title successfully.
The win also ended Al Ahly’s winless run against Zamalek in the Egypt Cup, which extends to 2010, with the Whites winning the last three clashes, which they all came in the finals.
- More reporting by Kingfut.