Cairo Derby Shake-Up: Ferreira Drops Banzo as Al Ahly and Zamalek Brace for the Big Show

Context and Banzo's Omission

The Belgian coach Yanick Ferreira of Zamalek has left Angolan winger Shiko Banzo out of the squad for the highly anticipated Cairo derby against Al Ahly, scheduled for tomorrow Monday in the ninth round of the Egyptian Premier League. The decision, relayed to Koora by a club source, comes without a disclosed rationale, a move that has sparked frustration from Banzo who hoped to feature in the big match.

In the days leading up to the derby, Banzo had already been left out of squad lists for matches against Misr El-Masry and Ismaily after delays in returning to Cairo following the international break to rejoin training with the team.

Ferreira’s choice adds an extra layer of suspense as Zamalek aims to sustain a title push, while Banzo processes the setback of missing another marquee fixture against their archrivals.

Lineups, Form, and Derby Stakes

The coaches’s plans show Adam Kaid likely operating from the left wing, following solid performances of late, with Adi Dabagh poised to start as the central striker given his recent scoring form. Brazilian Joao Bezerra is expected to feature on the right wing, having shone in prior outings before a suspension-related absence.

Dabagh’s status has him climbing the league’s goalscoring list, currently joint-second with three goals, level with Mahmoud Hassan and Salah Mohsen on four but trailing Abdel Rahim Daghmoum and Salah Mohsen who sit at the top with four each. The club’s official pages celebrated Dabagh after his goal against El Gouna, highlighting his growing influence at the federation level this season.

Banzo joined Zamalek from Estrela Amadora on a four-year deal earlier this summer, and Ferreira’s tactical plan centers around Kaid, Dabagh, and Bezerra providing width and thrust behind a central attack. Bezerra’s compliance with disciplinary requirements has allowed him to return to action after his yellow-card suspension, and Ferreira is expected to lean on him again in this high-stakes clash.

Across the pitch, Ferreira has overseen eight official matches with Zamalek, recording five wins, two draws, and one defeat. The side has netted 12 goals while conceding only four, signaling a compact, efficient approach as they head into the derby with a near-full squad. The only casualty in terms of availability appears to be midfielder Mohamad Shahat, with key returns anticipated from Mahmoud Hamdi “El-Wen” and Joao Bezerra after bans, alongside the returning defender Mahmoud Hamdi in the defense line.

Meanwhile, Al Ahly arrive in Cairo hoping to rebound from a stuttering start to the campaign, having dropped nine points from their first seven fixtures, including a loss to Pyramids and draws with Modern Sports, Ghaz Al-Mahalla, and Enppi. Under interim coach Emad Al-Nah, the Red Devils have shown a resurgence, registering consecutive wins over Ceramica Cleopatra and Haras El Hodoud, and are eager to carry that momentum into the derby.

Al Ahly will have Imad Ashour sidelined by illness, and Achraf Dari plus Ahmed Zizo remain listed as unavailable through injury. The team, however, will again rely on Mahmoud Hassan “Trezeguet” to spark the attack and guide the midfield engine room, as they aim to climb the standings and close the five-point gap to the league-leading Zamalek. Injuries aside, the Red Devils’ lineup is expected to feature Mohamed El-Shennawy in goal, with a backline including Mohamed Hany, Yasser Ibrahim, Yassin Mar’i, and Mustafa El-Sheikh, while the midfield trio likely comprises Marwan Attia, Ali Diang, and Nasser Maher; in attack, Dabagh’s opponents will feature Joao Bezerra and Adam Kaid alongside a central striker.

Kick-off is scheduled for Cairo Stadium on Monday, with a Spanish referee led by Alejandro Monis Ruiz in charge of the whistle, as both clubs vie to assert dominance at the top of the table. At present, Zamalek hold first place with 17 points from eight games, five points ahead of Al Ahly, which sits eighth with 12 points from seven matches.

The predicted XI for the derby leans toward a Zamalek side featuring goalkeeper Mohamed Sobhi, a back four of Omar Jaber, Hossam Abdel-Majid, Mohamed Ismail, and Mahmoud Ben Taiq, a midfield quartet built around Nabil Emad “Donja,” Abdallah El-Said, and Nasser Maher, with Bezerra and Kaid providing width and Dabagh up front. Al Ahly, meanwhile, would line up with Shennawy between the posts, a back four including Hani, Ibrahim, Yassin Mar’i, and Mustafa El-Sheikh, a central midfield duo of Amr Al-Sayed and Ali Diang, and a forward line anchored by Dabagh alongside Bezerra or Kaid.

Sniper’s punchline time: If tension were a statistic, this derby would be off the charts—plus a few yellow cards for seasoning. Also, in case you’re wondering, the ball isn’t the only thing that’s heavy today; so are the pre-match nerves. Endings this spicy usually come with extra-time drama, but this one might just last 90 minutes with a few extra spicy quips from the stands.