CAIRO - Zamalek and Enppi have finished their preparations for their crucial Egypt Cup final clash, which kicks off Tuesday at 7pm at Cairo International Stadium. In a rematch of the 2008 Egyptian Cup final, Zamalek hope history repeats itself while Enppi are looking for a different result. Soccer experts agree that the game will be a tough one for both teams, adding that it's difficult to predict the winner. One of the experts, Taha Besri, says that Cup finals are always difficult. "No-one can predict the winner, especially as both teams have fought too hard to make it to the final," adds Besri, explaining that every game is different. "Zamalek are a big, ambitious team with a huge fan base. They're relying a lot on the new coaching staff and players to win championships and trophies, while Enppi don't have many supporters," he stresses, hoping that the game will be a good, strong one, as the two teams are among the best in Egypt at the moment. Abdel-Aziz Abdel-Shafei, another soccer expert, says that both teams really want to win. "Zamalek have many talented, skilful players that can turn a game round in a moment, while their coaching staff are clever and they have a lot of supporters," he explains, pointing out that Zamalek's chances are better than Enppi's. "However, the Petroleum club will not be easy prey. Enppi have many talented young players and a great technical coach that has confidence in himself and in the team.” Helmi Toulan, the technical coach of Police Union club, disagrees with Abdel-Shafei, stressing that both teams have the same chances of winning the title. "Zamalek are in dire need of winning the title under their new coaching staff, to boost their morale before the Premier League kicks off. "Enppi also want to win to prove that they are one of the big names in the country," Toulan adds. Shawqi Gharib, Egypt's former general coach, says that Shehata at Zamalek and Mokhtar at Enppi both really want to prove themselves. Mahmoud Bakr, a soccer expert and TV analyst, stresses that the game will not be easy for either team, although he expects Zamalek to swing it. "Both teams are very good, but I think Zamalek are likely to win the title. Enppi are an organised team, but without an effective attack. They have many talented young players, but they lack the finishing touch,” he comments. Both teams' coaches, meanwhile, have been trying to ignore the experts' expectations, focusing on getting their players to do their best and win. Zamalek's coach Hassan Shehata refuses to listen to reports that Zamalek are the favourites to lift the Cup, urging the players not to listen too. "I hope that we will win, for our sake and the fans' sake," Shehata said ahead of the game. "Enppi are a respectable team with many talented young stars and we respect them for reaching the final.” "Shehata has held a meeting with the players, urging them to concentrate on the game and to do their best to win," Zamalek's general coach, Ismail Youssef, also said ahead of tonight's clash. Zamalek and Enppi have advanced to the Egypt Cup final after defeating Harras el-Hodoud and Arab Contractors 2-1, 8-7 (on penalties kicks) respectively in their semi-final games. The Zamalek coaching staff, players and fans are suffering from a three-year title drought, so they are looking to beat Enppi in order to lift the Egypt Cup for the 22nd time. In the 2008 final, the White Knights beat Enppi 2-1, but since then Zamalek haven't won any trophies, so they're hoping history repeats itself tonight. Zamalek Chairman Galal Ibrahim has urged the players to do their best to win the game, promising them double bonuses worth around LE50,000 (around $9,000) for each player, if they lift the trophy. The White Knights' road to the final hasn't been easy. They overwhelmed Wadi Degla 4-1 in the round of 16, thanks to goals from Egypt's skipper Ahmed Hassan and striker Ahmed Gaafar, who scored a brace each. They then beat Gouna 3-2 in the quarter-finals, before defeating Haras el-Hodoud 2-1 in the semi-finals. Tareq Ghoneim, the Vice-President of Zamalek Club, says that, if they win, it “will open the doors for the team to other championships and trophies”. But he warned the team not to take Enppi lightly. According to sources, Zamalek's coach will field the same line-up as in the semi-finals. Shehata will keep midfielder Ibrahim Salah and striker Ahmed Gaafar on the bench, as winning cards to use according to the match. Zamalek player Ahmed Hossam 'Mido' dearly hopes they win the title, which would be their first trophy under the new coaching staff, who have decided to suspend Mido for the game. His teammate Ibrahim Salah stresses that Zamalek have the motivation to defeat Enppi. "The players are concentrating really hard, hoping to win to please the White Knights' fans," the ex-Mansoura midfielder adds. “The players really have some good tactics and the technical ability to achieve this under the new coaching staff. But Enppi are not an easy team, so the game will be a difficult one." Mokhtar Mokhtar, Enppi's coach, is delighted that his team have made it to the final, stressing that the players' fitness and experience were what gave the Petroleum outfit the edge in the semi-final against Arab Contractors. "Reaching the Egypt Cup final is, a great achievement," says the 57-year old tactician. Enppi have reached the Egypt Cup final three times. The team won the trophy in 2005, while they finished as runners-up in 2008 and 2009. Mokhtar explains that facing Zamalek in the final is a huge challenge. "Facing Zamalek in the final is my most difficult game; the players have been training hard to put on well," he adds. Will Zamalek win as they did three years ago, or will Enppi surprise us all? Let's just wait and see.
