Al Ahly Clinches Egyptian Super Cup in Abu Dhabi, Outclassing Zamalek 2-0
9 November 2025
Match night in Abu Dhabi
Ahmed Abdel Raouf, the Zamalek coach, expressed sorrow after his side fell 2-0 to Al Ahly in the Egyptian Super Cup final in Abu Dhabi, while congratulating the rival on the title.
In a post-match press conference, he outlined the factors behind the defeat and the challenges his team faced in a tight, high-stakes clash.
Al Ahly captured the Egyptian Super Cup for the 16th time after a hard-fought victory at Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
The goals came from Ashraf Ben Cherif in the 44th minute and Marwan Attia in the 72nd, with a late Zamalek strike ruled out for a handball by Tunisian referee Seifeddine Jaziri in the 78th.
The Turkish referee Khalil Omut disallowed a goal for Zamalek in the 78th minute, citing a handball by Seifeddine Jaziri.
At the press conference, Abdel Raouf said, “We were hoping to win and please the fans, and congrats to Al Ahly on the title.”
Abdel Raouf admitted Zamalek started slowly, which affected the match’s flow and favored the opponent.
He noted injuries to Mohamed Ismail and others as a complicating factor, and explained that Juan Bezera was only prepared to play one half.
He added that luck did not favor them as a goal was conceded at a difficult moment before halftime.
He also said Ahmed Shreef’s appearance was limited due to his return from injury, and that he had discussed the scenario of an Al Ahly goal many times, yet the goal still came.
Abdel Raouf emphasized that the team operates under very tough conditions, with injuries piling up, and that certain requests from the sporting director would remain private within the club’s system.
He closed by saying the hardest part was not being able to please the fans of Zamalek.
Future outlook
Looking ahead, Abdel Raouf said the loss is not the end and that the focus will shift to domestic fixtures as they aim to improve in the league.
Al Ahly, under Danish coach Jesper Thorup, extends its record as the most decorated club in the competition, while Zamalek finishes as runner-up.
Ceramika Cleopatra’s third-place
In other news, Ceramika Cleopatra clinched third place by beating Pyramids 2-1 at the UAE venue, with Ahmed Belhaj scoring the winner from the spot in the 49th minute after a first-half equalizer by Zico.
The match also saw a red card for the Pyramids coach, adding to the evening’s drama.
Raucous reception for Zizo
The stands directed sharp jeers at Ahmed Mustafa “Zizo,” the former Zamalek star who moved to the archrival Ahly, as fans vented their feelings about the transfer.
Historically, Zizo joined Zamalek in 2019, becoming a key figure who helped win league titles and cups, and who later helped lead African campaigns before his move to Ahly.
His transfer remains a hot topic among supporters who recall his contributions to the club’s successes.
Punchlines are best saved for the end of a game, but if football taught us anything, it’s that drama often gets extra minutes—just enough to ruin a nap and keep fans awake. And if you’re counting, the only thing bigger than the scoreboard tonight was the amount of emotional investment fans poured into a single cup final.
