Cup Shock in Alexandria: Coaching Whispers Loom as Ittihad Edge Fades
29 November 2025
Match Recap
Al Ittihad Alexandria bid farewell to the Egypt Cup early after a 0-1 home defeat to Ismailia's Kahraba at Alexandria Stadium on Saturday in the Round of 32.
The match was level after regulation time, with no goals, and went into extra time where Mohamed El-Sayed, nicknamed Shika, scored the decisive goal in the 95th minute.
The referee showed a red card to Al Ittihad's Isaac Saviour in the 101st minute, worsening the home team's challenges as the match ended with Ismailia's victory.
Ismailia, under coach Rida Shahatā, advanced to the round of 16 and will play the winner of the Talaea El Gaish vs Seka Al-Hadid tie.
Earlier, Smouha beat Ghazl El Mahalla 3-1 at Borg El Arab Stadium in Alexandria, while Al Ahly Bank beat Bor Fouad 4-1, and Petrojet beat Wadi Degla 1-0.
The Round of 32 continued on Sunday with Farco against Telephones of Beni Suef, and Enppi against the Mokawloon.
Two more matches are scheduled for Monday between Haras Al Hodood and Ismailia, and Talaea El Gaish versus Seka Al Hadid.
There is a strong wave of talk inside the board to sack Tamer Mostafa after a noticeable decline in results.
Tamer Mostafa took charge on September 20, replacing Ahmed Sami, and has only one league win over El Mokawloon, with five defeats to Zed, Wadi Degla, Al Ahly, Pyramids and El Gouna, in addition to exiting the Egypt Cup early.
KOOORA has learned that Mohamed Ahmed Salama, the club president, has begun contacting several coaches to lead the team, including Mohamed Youssef, the sporting director, as well as Shouqi Gharib, former coach of Al Merrikh.
Officials will decide Tamer Mostafa's fate in the next hours.
Punchline: If coaching were a stand-up routine, this season would be a long, long set with a mid-song encore.
Punchline 2: The rumor mill in the press room is hotter than the stadium lights after kickoff.
