Ahli bid for a memorable domestic double when they play arch-rivals Zamalek on Friday in the Egyptian Cup final. Egyptian and African champions Ahli were the last team to win the Egyptian double in 1996 under Dutchman Rainer Hollman. Friday's match is the fifth clash between the two giants this season after they had two-legged ties in the league and African Champions League. Ahli won three times, with a 2-0 victory in the last match that crowned them officially as league champions while Zamalek managed only to grab a goalless draw in one encounter. The Red Devils play without their starting right-back Islam Al-Shater who serves an automatic one-match suspension. International winger Mohamed Barakat is tipped to fill in his place. Amr Fathi 'Samaka' or Ahmed Hassan will play in the midfield alongside Mohamed Shawki and Hassan Mostafa.
Cajuda (L) exchanges flowers with Jose Coach Manuel Jose will deploy league top-scorer Mohamed Abou-Trieka as a delayed forward behind striker Emad Meteb. Zamalek, on the other hand, seek to end their title-drought with the prestigious cup trophy after failing in the league and Africa for a second successive season. Manuel Cajuda's side will play without Mostafa Gaafar, the team's most prolific striker this season, and defender Tamer Abdul-Wahab, both missing the game with two yellow cards. Egypt defending midfielder Moetazbellah Mohamed 'Eno' may be given a deeper role as a center back while Alaa Abdul-Ghani, Tamer Abdul-Hamid, Mohamed Aboul-Ella and either Hazem Emam or Awuley Quaye Jr. will play in the midfield. Egypt strikers Gamal Hamza and Abdul-Halim Ali are most likely to start in the attacking line.