Never just a game

Ahli and Zamalek go toe-to-toe tomorrow. Alaa Shahine reports on the famed rivalry and its roots
Zamalek's boss Otto Pfister says he is confident in his side ahead of the derby against Ahli in the league championship tomorrow in Cairo Stadium. "I can't see why we won't win this encounter," wondered the German who since his arrival two seasons ago has never lost against the bitter cross-town rivals.
"We are ready, and we are at full strength," he added. "Ahli are a strong team but to me they are like any other. I don't intend to lose."
Under Pfister, Zamalek beat Ahli twice, 2-1 and 3-1, while the remaining two games ended in draws.
The defending champions will depend on a prolific attacking line, led by Ahli's former veteran striker Hossam Hassan and the team's new Ghanaian import, Ahmed Felix, as a possible strike mate.
Hossam, along with his twin brother Ibrahim, moved to Zamalek from Ahli last season in one of the most talked-about deals in years and have since added goals and confidence to their new side.
Apart from helping Zamalek clinch the league title for the first time since 1993, Hossam scored twice against his former team in their last encounter, making him only the second player to score for both sides, the first being Gamal Abdel-Hamid.
However, the team will enter the match with a creaky defence and shaky goalkeeping. The combination led to a surprising 3-3 tie against newly-promoted Sohag and a difficult come- from-behind win against Ghazl El-Suez.
Defence and goalkeeping are Ahli's fortes. Goalkeeper Essam El-Hadari is in the middle of a super season. And Ahli's defence line is no less impressive, with the inspirational presence of Ibrahim Said and Wael Gomaa steadying the back line.
Moreover, Ahli goes into tomorrow's clash with a great deal of confidence after reaching the African Champions League final for the first time since 1987.
"We have forgotten about Africa and have shifted our attention, at least temporarily, to Zamalek's match," El-Hadari told ART television after tying 1-1 with Tunisia's Esperance and advancing on the away goals rule.
The man in Ahli's hot seat, Portuguese coach Manuel Jose, refused to disclose his tactics. "Surprises are expected in such encounters, but I prefer to postpone talking about them," he said.
Jose said he was told by aides that the match is a championship in its own right. "Therefore, we are giving the game top priority," he added.
Ahli and Zamalek games have been Egypt's and one of the Arab world's most anticipated since the league championship kicked off in 1948. It was in October that year that the two clashed for the first time, with Zamalek going ahead through Said Rostom and Abdel-Karim Saqr before Ahli pulled two goals back by Ahmed Mekawi and Saad Osman.
Player magician Hussein Hegazi and a diplomatic row over Palestine made the match-ups even more fascinating.
Hegazi, a member of the Egyptian team that took fourth place in 1928 Olympics in Rome, was a genuine football sensation. He started his career with Ahli (then known as the High School Students Club) and was the talk of the town with his amazing abilities in the game that was introduced to Egyptians by British occupiers the previous century.
Hegazi's talents were one reason for Ahli's immense number of supporters. When he moved to Zamalek (then Mukhtalat), in the 1920s, many of his fans switched allegiance, backing Zamalek instead.
It was not until 1944 that the roots of the rivalry had taken hold. That year, Ahli travelled to Palestine for a friendly match despite opposition from Egyptian officials who suspended the team's players upon their return to Cairo. The suspension lasted until the final match of the cup which pitted Ahli against Zamalek. Ahli's rust showed and they were drubbed 6-0, the most lopsided score in the derby.
Ahli and Zamalek have met 87 times in the league, with Ahli winning 29 times while 38 matches ended in a draw. Ahli netted 98 goals in those games and Zamalek 76.
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