When the White Jersey Leads: Zamalek’s Road to the Egyptian Super Cup Final

Pre-Final Hype: Spirit and Leadership Under Pressure

Hisham Nasser, the vice chairman of Zamalek and head of the team’s delegation in the United Arab Emirates, emphasized that the heart of the “white jersey” was the decisive factor behind their deserved path to the Egyptian Super Cup final. He praised the players’ combative mindset and the clear strategic vision of coach Ahmed Abdel-Raouf.

The official comments reiterated the club’s stability and unwavering support from management ahead of the crucial clash with their long-time rivals, Al Ahly.

Zamalek and Al Ahly are set to meet in the Egyptian Super Cup final, scheduled for the upcoming Sunday at seven-thirty UAE time (five-thirty in Egypt), at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium.

In his remarks, Nasser highlighted the coach’s promising start, noting Abdel-Raouf’s ability to handle the role despite a short preparation window, and the team’s performance reflected the coach’s steady demeanor and tactical clarity on the pitch.

“Abdel-Raouf began with great poise. He brings steady nerves and a clear technical vision that quickly showed in how the players performed,” Nasser said, stressing the management’s full backing as the squad heads toward the final.

He also pointed to a fresh spirit within the squad, which he described as the driving force behind the win over a strong and well-organized opponent. The energy and tactical discipline of the players were crucial in turning the match in their favor.

Nasser stressed the importance of the veterans in guiding younger teammates, saying he continually speaks with players to encourage them to fight until the final whistle and to transfer confidence and experience to the rest of the squad.

Special praise for Mohamed Awad

The vice chairman singled out goalkeeper Mohamed Awad for high praise, noting his quality and responsibility shown in goal during the absence of Mohamed Sobhi, and affirming that Awad consistently proves he is up to the task.

Looking ahead to the final, Nasser reiterated that clashes between Zamalek and Al Ahly are historic and defy simple metrics. He stressed that such derbies depend on player quality, luck, injuries, and availability, and they always carry a weight entirely of their own.

He underscored that the White team will push hard to secure victory and expressed hope that the match official will be fair, ensuring no edge for one side at the expense of the other.

Nasser concluded that the triumph over Pyramids gives the players invaluable momentum ahead of the eagerly anticipated Al Ahly showdown.

He closed with a heartfelt nod to Zamalek’s tremendous supporters, saying their unconditional backing is the team’s backbone: “A simple thank you falls short. This fanbase carries a unique creed, standing behind the squad in every condition, influence, or off-field matter.”

As a reminder, Al Ahly sealed their place in the final with a 2-1 win over Ceramica Cleopatra in the semis, while Zamalek edged past Pyramids 5-4 on penalties after a goalless draw.

Across history, the Cairo giants have met in the Egyptian Super Cup nine times, with Al Ahly taking six titles and Zamalek securing three.

Final preparations underway

The Zamalek technical staff scheduled Friday’s workout in the gym to recover after the semis and to prepare for the final. Players were split into two groups: those who started against Pyramids would train first, while substitutes would follow in the second session.

Coaches chose the gym for recovery and light conditioning to manage the tight schedule between the semis and the final.

The first team was due to hold a final training session on Saturday at Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, in preparation for the big match against Al Ahly.

Final Prep and Key Takeaways

The club’s leadership emphasizes mental resilience, cohesion, and a tactical plan that leverages the strengths of senior players, while trusting the younger squad members to contribute when needed.

Wednesday’s victory over a strong opponent demonstrated that Zamalek’s campaign is built on collective effort, with leadership guiding both on-field decisions and in the locker room.

As the final approaches, the storyline centers on whether the White Army can translate domestic form into a trophy that has long eluded them in recent seasons, while Al Ahly seeks to assert their traditional dominance in this storied rivalry.

Punchline time, sniper-style: If goals were targets, tonight’s match would be a shooting range—every strike aiming for the net, and every goalkeeper suddenly finding the pause button for drama.

Punchline two: In football, as in life, timing is everything. If the referee blows at the right moment, it’s not a miracle—it's the universe saying, “Plot twist: the derby gets even more legendary.”