Egyptian Super Cup: Al Ahly’s Bold Plan to Rule Ceramica Cleopatra in the UAE

Build-up and key quotes

Danish manager Jess Thorup says the Egyptian Super Cup semi-final against Ceramica Cleopatra in Al Ain marks a pivotal milestone on Al Ahly’s path to the trophy. He is aiming to win his first title with the club in this competition and to set a strong tone for the season ahead.

Thorup noted that while this is his first involvement in the Egyptian Super Cup, he has previously visited the UAE for camps with other teams and hopes this match will be a genuine opportunity to lift another trophy. Since the last game, the team has focused on improving performance and continually looking to take the next step to be better in every phase.

He expressed great excitement at the prospect of seeing Ahly fans in the stands against Ceramica Cleopatra, recognizing their passion and hoping they will turn out in large numbers to support the players with full force.

Regarding player readiness, Thorup said Mohamed Sherif took part in yesterday’s training and Imam Ashour was able to participate in part of the session, indicating there is a positive trajectory toward full squad fitness.

He concluded that the objective is clear: reach the final by winning tomorrow’s game. He stressed that while attack can win games, a strong defense creates championships, and that balance will be pursued at every step.

Team news and readiness

Mohamed El-Shenawy, the team’s goalkeeper, commented that the players are ready for the Ceramica clash and came to the UAE with big ambitions and a strong desire to continue collecting trophies.

El-Shenawy also noted the warmth of the UAE welcome and thanked everyone for the hospitality and excellent organization. He described Ceramica as a strong opponent and emphasized that, in a competition like the Super Cup, their focus is at its peak and the aim is to win every competition the team participates in.

He highlighted the importance of mental and physical readiness and the inclusion of young players in the squad as part of the group’s ongoing goal to win and please the fans. He recalled that Al Ahly has previously won this edition of the Super Cup and expressed a desire to continue the journey by adding another trophy, acknowledging the big challenge posed by Ceramica and the presence of Coach Thorup.

Imam Ashour, the midfielder, spoke about the joy of being with the team in the UAE and soaking in the pre-tournament atmosphere ahead of the Super Cup. He stressed the importance of collective support, unity, and a strong drive to win and celebrate with the fans, describing the upcoming matches as a test of resilience and team spirit.

Ashour also indicated that taking part in part of the training is a crucial step toward full readiness and reaffirmed his commitment to the training program to return to peak condition. He thanked family, fans, and the club’s medical staff for their continued support and said he looks forward to contributing in the coming matches to help the team win trophies. He concluded by urging the fans to remain energized and ready to celebrate with the squad after the match.

Technical meeting

The technical meeting for the Al Ahly vs Ceramica Cleopatra match was held earlier today at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in the UAE. All organizational and administrative matters were reviewed, and it was confirmed that Al Ahly will wear their red shirt, white shorts, and red socks, while the goalkeeper wears a light blue kit. Ceramica Cleopatra will wear white shirts, navy shorts, and white socks, with their goalkeeper in an orange kit.

It was also confirmed that if the game ends in a draw, it will be decided by penalties to determine the winner of the match.

Punchline time: If Al Ahly’s defense were a security system, it would have a 0% chance of being hacked—except maybe by a really persistent coffee break. And if the cup could talk, it would say, I came here for glory, not to be used as a chair during press conferences. End-of-article jokes aside, may the best team win with style.