Desert Duel: Zamalek Unleashes Chico Panza, while Al Ahly Keeps a Fixed XI for the Egyptian Super Cup Final
9 November 2025
Team News and Lineups
Zamalek’s coach Ahmed Abdel-Raouf announced the White’s starting XI for the Egyptian Super Cup final against Al Ahly at Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, with Bezira and Ben Ramadan among the substitutes.
Abdel-Raouf made several changes compared with the semi-final win over Pyramids on penalties.
The coach will start with the trio Abdullah Al-Saeed, Seif Jaafar, and Chico Panza, after they had appeared as substitutes against Pyramids.
Goalkeeper: Mohamed Awwad.
Back four: Ahmed Fattouh – Mahmoud Hamdi “El-Wenesh” – Mohamed Ismail – Omar Jaber.
Midfield: Mohamed Shahatah – Seif Jaafar – Abdullah Al-Saeed.
Attack: Nasser Maher – Amr Nasser – Chico Panza.
On the bench: Mehdi Soliman, Hesham Abdel-Majeed, Salah Mesdq, Ahmed Rabia, Ahmed Hamdi, Ahmed Sharif, Bezira, Sayed Al-Jaziri, Adi Al-Dabbagh.
Al Ahly’s starting XI remained the same as in the 2-1 semi-final win over Ceramica Cleopatra: goalkeeper Mohamed Al-Shanawy; defense Mohamed Hani, Yasser Ibrahim, Yassin Morai, Ahmed Nabil Kouka; midfield Marwan Attia, Aliou Diang, Ahmed Zizou; attack Ashraf Ben Cherky, Gradychar, Mahmoud Hassan “Trezeguet.”
On the bench for Al Ahly: Mustafa Shobier, Ahmed Ramadan Beckham, Mohamed Shakri, Omar Kamal Abdul Wahid, Mohamed Ali bin Ramadan, Mohamed Shreef and others.
Two main points of focus were highlighted by Abdel-Raouf before the final: ensure progress to the final and chase the trophy with full intensity.
Historically, the two clubs have met in finals nine times; Al Ahly has won seven, with Zamalek claiming two.
National team notes
The national team list for a November camp in the UAE was previewed, aiming to blend local and foreign-based players ahead of AFCON 2025 in Morocco and the road to 2026 World Cup qualification.
As Abdel-Raouf put it, the focus remains on balance between readiness for the final and preparation for future big games, with the squad’s chemistry under close observation.
In short, this final is about more than bragging rights; it’s a test of depth for both clubs and a reminder that Cairo’s derby never sleeps.
Two quick thoughts to close: if enthusiasm were a stadium, today would be at full capacity. And if football finals were desserts, this one would be a baklava—layered, sweet, and just a bit nuts.
