The 104th Cairo derby between Ahli and Zamalek is set to take place on Tuesday night, amid some unusual circumstances at the White camp. A historic margin separates the bitter rivals in the Egyptian Premier League table, with a staggering 16-point gap that leaves Zamalek 12 spots behind the leaders. Another interesting fact that makes it a special derby day, is the uncommon challenge between two Egyptian managers for the first time in 18 years. Looking at both teams' status, Ahli are odds-on to hand their arch-rivals a fourth straight defeat, even so head coach Hossam Al-Badri anticipates a close encounter. "I don't care about people saying that the game is already settled in our favor. We haven't won yet," said the former defender.
Hossam vs Hossam "I expect a tough game because I can see that Zamalek have improved under the new management." Hossam Hassan might have lost his debut game as Zamalek coach last week, but the Egypt legend's relentless character has always been an asset for any team he leads. For many Zamalek fans, the former Ahli striker is the only hope to get the fallen Cairo giants out of their misery, following five years of unprecedented failures. Team News Ahli have a depleted team, while Zamalek are set to miss their top forward Amr Zaki for another week.
Zamalek managed one victory over Ahli from the last 17 derby matches The Bulldozer has been struggling with a hamstring injury since Egypt's defeat to Algeria last month and was declared unfit for the game on Sunday. Even though Hassan has surprisingly named him in the 18-man squad, Zaki eventually had to pull out of the Zamalek camp. On-loan Middlesbrough striker Mido returns for the Whites after missing the defeat to Harras Hodoud, so youngster Ahmed Fathi 'Bougi' will make way. On the other hand, Ahli will be without four influential frontmen after losing Mohamed Barakat, Emad Meteb, Francis Doe and most importantly Mohamed Abou-Treika to injury. Egypt talisman Abou-Treika is facing more than two months on the sidelines with a foot injury, while the aforementioned trio have hamstring problems. In addition to that, anchorman Moataz Eno has been ruled out for the rest of the season after damaging knee ligaments.
