Derby Day Doubt: Is Abdullah Al-Said Ready for the Al Ahly–Zamalek Showdown?

Match Context

On 29 September 2025, the Cairo Derby at Cairo Stadium stands as a marquee moment in the Egyptian Premier League, pairing Al Ahly with Zamalek in a rivalry that always promises fireworks. A reliable source officially stated that Abdullah El-Said is in the squad and not carrying an injury, cooling rumors that had circulated before kickoff.

Team News and Lineups

The same source noted that El-Said felt surprised by injury chatter during the team’s training but remains fully focused on the derby. Zamalek’s coach Yannick Ferreira reportedly left Chico Banza out of the squad for undisclosed reasons, a decision that has sparked some frustration from the Angolan forward. Al Ahly’s caretaker coach, Emad El-Nahou, is aiming to steer the team to a strong performance against their arch-rivals.

Off the field, it’s also been reported that Banza’s absence has become a talking point within the camp, while Ferreira continues to shape a tactical plan around the players available for the big match.

Standings, Form, and Key Figures

Zamalek currently sits top of the Egyptian Premier League with 17 points from eight games, edging ahead of Al Ahly, who have 12 points from seven matches. In terms of squad news, Imam Ashour is sidelined by illness and Ashraf Dari is out with an injury, while Ahmad “Zizo” remains unavailable though eager to feature against his former club. The Bl white are hopeful that Mahmoud Hamdi “El-Wenesh” and Mahmoud Bentayak will return after suspensions, bolstering the squad before the derby.

For Zamalek, Ad-Dabag has been a bright spark, with Ferreira weighing a left-wing role for the forward as well as a central striker position given his recent scoring form in the last three matches against Pyramids, Al Masry, and El Gouna.

Meanwhile, Al Ahly, under caretaker Emad El-Nahou, have started the season with a mixed run but recently secured back-to-back wins over Ceramica Cleopatra and Horus Al Hodod, seeking to extend the positive run into the showdown with their rivals. The derby will be the 131st edition between the two clubs in the domestic league, a fixture rich in history, with Al Ahly holding a traditional edge in the head-to-head record (50 wins to 29 for Zamalek) and 51 draws to date.

In this context, El-Said is described as a pivotal figure for the white jersey and has reportedly been leading motivational talks with teammates ahead of the match. Ferreira’s decision to omit Banza has added another subplot to an already tense build‑up.

The medical and coaching staff are keen to protect key players, with Zizo’s availability a final call closer to kickoff. The broader mood in both camps is one of cautious optimism as the league title race tightens and the Cairo Derby looms large.

The stage is set: a high-stakes clash that could reshape the top of the table, with tactical battles, personal duels, and a crowd ready to lift their sides to glory. Expect a game that blends grit, flair, and a bit of theater worthy of one of football’s greatest rivalries.

Punchline 1: If football were math, this derby would be a prime example of turning a simple equation into drama squared—derby = drama, with extra spice on the side. Punchline 2: And remember, in Cairo, even the nets wear a little extra adrenaline—goal celebrations may require referee professional courtesy to dodge the fireworks.”