Emad El-Nahhas: From Field to Sidelines, Can He Upset Zamalek in the Cairo Derby?

Context and Stakes

Fans are watching the Cairo derby as Al Ahly hosts its long-time rival Zamalek at the Cairo Stadium, in the ninth round of the Egyptian Premier League, with a Spanish officiating crew led by Alejandro Monis Roiz.

The fixture carries extra weight for both teams: Ahly wants to sustain its revival and narrow the gap to the league leaders, while Zamalek aims to solidify its top spot and prove its dominance.

Zamalek sits on top with 17 points from eight games, five points ahead of Ahly, who have 12 points from seven matches. Ahly’s interim coach, Emad El-Nahhas, took charge after the Spaniard Jose Ribeiro was sacked following a defeat to Pyramids.

Since taking over, El-Nahhas has steered the team to a draw with Enppi and hard-fought wins over Ceramica Cleopatra and Haras El Hodoud, restoring some confidence among the fans.

El-Nahhas’ journey as a player facing Zamalek is notable: nine matches in which he won six and drew three, never tasting defeat. As a coach, across clubs, his record against Zamalek reads three wins, four draws and six losses, with the teams he led scoring 12 goals and conceding 18.

His first meeting with Zamalek as a coach came with Aswan in 2015-2016, ending in a goalless draw before a second game that season was a loss. His first win over Zamalek as a coach came with Al-Sharga in 2016-2017. In 2017-2018 he drew with Raja Casablanca, then 2018-2019 with El Mokawloon (2-2). A loss followed in 2019-2020, another win in 2020-2021, and a loss in 2023-2024 with El Mokawloon. Today marks his first derby as Al Ahly’s coach against the White Knights, a test of his managerial trajectory.

Injuries and selections

Ahly aim to steady a rocky start to the season after seven rounds, having dropped nine points. Absent for the match are key names such as Imam Ashour (illness), Moroccan Achraf Dari (injury) and Ahmed “Zizo.” The Red Giants rely on Mahmoud Hassan “Trezegol” to lead the line, with Mohamed El-Shenawy in goal and Hussein El Shahat and Mohamed Sharif providing attacking support, while the defense is expected to tighten under El-Nahhas.

The White Army’s solidity

On the other side, Zamalek head into the clash with a near-full squad, missing only midfielder Mohamed Shahat, while Mahmoud Hamdi “El-Wenesh” and Brazilian Joao Pezziera return from suspension. Under Belgian coach Jaenik Ferreira, the White Knights seek to extend their league lead and regain the winning edge after a 1-1 draw with El Gouna. Despite a strong start, they have stumbled with draws against the Mokawloon and Gouna, plus an unexpected loss to Wadi Degla. Ferreira has overseen eight official matches so far, with five wins, two draws and one defeat, and he hopes the Cairo derby can be a springboard to cement the team’s position at the summit.

History and numbers

The upcoming match will be the 131st meeting in the league, with Ahly boasting 50 wins to 29 for Zamalek, and 51 draws. Across all competitions, the two giants have clashed 241 times: Ahly with 105 wins, Zamalek 65, and 71 draws. Red’s tally is 347 goals against, while Zamalek have hit 257, underscoring Ahly’s historical edge in victories and goals.

Match in prospect

The derby arrives amid divergent realities: Ahly seek to regain confidence and climb the table, while Zamalek aims to defend the crown and continue their positive run. Fan attendance is expected to exceed 50,000, adding an electric atmosphere that has often decided outcomes in past editions. Despite different forms, Cairo derbies remain famously unpredictable and could hinge on a moment of brilliance or a bold tactical move. Tomorrow’s game is open to all possibilities, whether Ahly’s revival continues or Zamalek asserts its supremacy.

Two punchlines to wrap it up: 1) If patience were a weapon, Emad would be sweeping the field with a sniper’s smile, timing his moves to perfection. 2) In football as in life, the derby proves that even the best plans crumble when the ball insists on taking its own vacation—here’s hoping Emad’s plan doesn’t go on strike.