Zamalek’s Super Cup Gambit: Dabbagh and Bentayg Ready, Pizera’s Fitness in the Balance

Injury updates and readiness ahead of the final

Zamalek fans are tense and hopeful a few days before the Egyptian Super Cup final with Al Ahly, after injuries hit several players in the semifinal against Pyramids, a match the Whites won on penalties in a dramatic, tense night that left many on the edge of their seats and still debating key decisions made by the bench.

While the joy of reaching the final lingered, fans and staff watched the health of several players who left the match injured, as the team gears up to ready every squad member before the Super Derby awaited by millions, hoping that minor glitches won't derail months of hard work and training.

The medical staff revealed the two players, Adi Dabbagh and Mahmoud Bentayg, left the match fatigued and injured, triggering concern in White Castle after the encounter, with coaches inspecting video footage and rechecking fitness tests while fans debated whether the duo would be able to train this week.

Initial diagnoses suggest minor muscle strains for both, not a cause for alarm, with detailed tests planned in coming hours to determine whether they will join group training before the final, and medical staff promising careful monitoring around the clock.

Despite early concerns, KOORA sources within the club say both players are in good shape and likely to feature against Al Ahly in the final, as doctors describe progress in the rehabilitation room and coaching staff map out a practical return-to-play plan.

Coaches plan to push the players into the next training session gradually to verify full recovery before the decisive match, scheduling light touch drills today, then incremental loads tomorrow, while insisting on clear communication about pain and workload limits.

Meanwhile, there is anxiety around Juan Pizera, who has a muscular issue and will undergo a decisive medical test to determine his availability, with the club ready to make the call if the risk of aggravation outweighs the upside of risk-taking.

The coach staff led by Ahmed Abdul-Roof fears gambling with the player before full healing, ready to prevent a worse injury and a long layoff, especially in a schedule that keeps piling fixtures and travel, so every decision comes with a calculator and a sigh.

With some players reassured and others still at risk, Zamalek continues final preparations for the Super Derby, focusing on physical readiness and prevention to avoid fresh absences that could derail plans and leave the bench sighing louder than the stadium.

Coach Ahmed Abdel-Raouf stressed the team has faced tough times but remains focused on lifting the trophy, saying the fighting spirit was key to beating Pyramids and will be kept alive against Al Ahly, with players understanding the weight of a final and the need to stay compact and disciplined.

He also addressed lineup decisions, noting Mohamed Sobhi's absence was due to injury and that Abdullah Al-Saeed was used as a tired substitute after his long previous shift, while stressing that other changes were based on form, fatigue, and strategic balance.

As for Ahmad Sharif's substitution, the coach said it wasn't a sign of weakness but a planned return from a recent injury, and he did his part during the minutes he played, validating the rotational options.

Abdel-Roof concluded that the approach against Pyramids was not purely defensive but built on studying the opponent's strengths, adding that the goal was not showmanship but choosing the right plan for the conditions, staying calm and preparing players mentally for the final, even as nerves swell in the stands.

Meanwhile, Pyramids coach Cronoslav Yortschich said he was satisfied with his team's display, despite exiting, and that the players gave their all; he praised the effort and hinted at lessons learned for the league run-in.

He added that the match showed both teams commitment, and he congratulated Zamalek on qualification, noting that the final could be a tactical duel that fans will remember for years.

Thus, Zamalek heads into the final versus Al Ahly with growing anticipation, comfort about Dabbagh and Bentayg, concern about Pizera, and hope that the Whites go into the final with a full squad and a bit of extra swagger.

Punchline: If football were an exam Zamalek would ace procrastination saving their best for the final.

Punchline: And if penalties were a lottery they would still win the jackpot because drama is in their blood and the kicker's shoe size is the only thing that matters.