Monday's Cairo derby clash between Ahli and Zamalek will be played at 17:00 Cairo local time, the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) said on Wednesday. "We have decided that the remaining three weeks of the Egyptian League will be played at the same time in order for the teams to have equal chances," EFA spokesman Medhat Shalabi told FilGoal.com. "Although Ahli have secured the league title, there is still competition at the bottom of the table where every team wants to avoid relegation as well as the fight for the second place between Zamalek and Ismaili. "Due to the fact that some stadiums don't have a lighting system, the EFA has decided to hold all matches at 17:00 pm," he added. The Ahli-Zamalek clash, one of the most high-profile derbies in the world, is traditionally played at night in order for all people to watch the game after finishing their work. However, Shalabi hinted that the EFA may make a U-turn on their decision in case one of the Cairo powerhouses presents an official request. "If we received an official request to hold the match later at night, the competitions' committee will review it and decide on the best solution." "But if we accepted to reschedule the match, we will be forced to hold Ismaili-Ittihad game at the same time and that won't happen unless Ittihad secure Egyptian League safety," Shalabi concluded.
