Al Ahly’s late strike seals 2-1 win in UAE, final awaits against the winner of Zamalek-Pyramids
6 November 2025
Match Snapshot
Danish coach Yis Turup, head of Al Ahly, congratulated the club’s fans after a 2-1 victory over Ceramica Cleopatra in the Egyptian Super Cup semifinal, staged in the United Arab Emirates.
Al Ahly opened via Mahmoud Hassan Trezeguet in the 19th minute, but Ceramica’s Marwan Osman equalized in the 41st. The decisive moment came when Slovenian striker Nits Gradisar struck in the 52nd minute, with referee Mahmoud Al-Banna presiding over a tightly contested 90 minutes.
Post-Match Reactions
With the win, Al Ahly advance to Sunday’s final where they will meet the winner of the Zamalek vs. Pyramids clash. Turup thanked the supporters and called the triumph a significant step toward lifting the trophy, stressing that they faced a stubborn rival.
He added that the last five minutes were under heavy pressure but the squad remained resolute, and that they aim to seal the title in the final as well. Turup also praised his players’ performance, saying big matches require big players and that the defensive line did not present a problem despite two quick-fire opportunities for the opposition.
Speaking to the press, Turup noted ongoing focus on physical conditioning and insisted that every victory strengthens belief across the squad. He finished by acknowledging the hard work of the players and their determination to celebrate the cup on Sunday.
Ali Maher, Ceramica Cleopatra’s coach, offered thanks to his players for their display, saying they created several chances against the red wall but failed to convert.
Maher argued that he hoped for greater fairness from refereeing and VAR, noting that some key moments should have been clearer with video assistance. He added that his side followed tactical plans and worked hard, but execution on the night fell short in key moments.
He stressed the need to close spaces against high-quality opponents and highlighted that set-piece situations were practiced, yet errors occurred on the field. Maher urged his team to stay compact and focus on learning from the experience for future battles.
Historical context and records
Al Ahly has dominated this fixture historically, meeting Ceramica 14 times with 12 wins and two draws; Ceramica has yet to beat the Reds. This marks the third consecutive year that Al Ahly has won the semi in the Egyptian Super Cup.
Past finals saw Al Ahly triumph in 2023 and 2024 after similar close bouts, underscoring the club’s continued edge in this competition. The Egyptian Super Cup has crown origins dating back to 2001, and Al Ahly remains the most decorated side with 15 titles from 22 editions.
The cup has also seen contributions from other clubs over the years, with a few teams lifting the trophy away from the big two. The competition history is a reminder that cup football often defies form and throws up surprises.
Hazem Imam, a former Zamalek star, scored the competition’s first-ever goal, a small but enduring footnote in the tournament’s long narrative.
Sniper jokes to end on a lighter note
Sniper joke 1: Our defense is so precise that even the goalposts renew their season tickets just to see them in action.
Sniper joke 2: If the whistle had a compass, it would point straight to the net—and somehow also to the defender’s ankles, just for good measure.
