Whistles, Pyramids, and a Libyan Cup Final: Egypt Sets the Stage in Cairo

Match official details

The Egyptian Football Association has approved appointing an all-Egyptian refereeing crew to oversee the Libya Cup Final between Al Ahli Tripoli and Al Ahli Benghazi.

The final will be staged at Cairo Stadium on Wednesday, by decision of Al Ahli Benghazi's management.

The Libyan Football Federation had drawn lots to determine the venue for both the Cup Final and the local Super Cup featuring the two Al Ahli sides.

Kick-off is scheduled for 5:00 pm Libyan time, which is also 5:00 pm in Cairo.

The Egyptian federation proposed a refereeing crew that won Libyan approval, led by Mahmoud Nagi as the on-field referee, with Yousef Al-Basaty and Samir Gamal as assistants, Mohamed Al-Tabi Al-Gazi as the fourth official, Wael Farhan as the Video Assistant Referee, and Khaled Al-Ghandour as an additional official.

Referee background

Nagi has officiated seven Egyptian Premier League matches this season, including fixtures involving Zamalek, Al Masry, and Al Ahly in league action.

He previously refereed the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations Under-20 final, and has also taken part in AFCON Under-23 and the Africa Cup of Nations for locals.

Earlier, he oversaw a CAF Confederation Cup match between Olympique Béja of Tunisia and Abu Slim Libyan in 2023.

Punchline 1: I am a sniper with punchlines—target acquired, laugh delivered.

Punchline 2: If this VAR moment needed a hobby, it would be coffee; it keeps everything brewing while we wait for the replay of the punchline.