Egyptian FA has not contacted clubs over Super Cup participation, says source

The Egyptian Football Association has not approached any club about taking part in the Egyptian Super Cup, despite reports that Al Ahly had reservations about entering the competition through a golden card invitation.

A source within the association told FilGoal.com: “We have not contacted any club so far regarding participation in the Super Cup, and no decisions have been issued by us determining its format, the details of participation or how it will be organised.”

The comments come after reports suggested Al Ahly might object to being invited to the tournament through the golden card system.

Al Ahly deny rejecting competition

Al Ahly football director Wael Gomaa previously dismissed claims that the club had decided against playing in the next edition of the Egyptian Super Cup.

“Everything being said about Al Ahly refusing to play in the Egyptian Super Cup is not true,” Gomaa told FilGoal.com. “We have not discussed the matter at all so far.”

The Egyptian Football Association has identified the first week of November as the nearest likely window for the competition, according to information obtained by FilGoal.com.

The tournament is expected to be held in the United Arab Emirates and involve four teams.

Zamalek are due to participate as league champions, while Pyramids are included as winners of the Egypt Cup. Al Masry will take part as the Egyptian League Cup holders, with Al Ahly expected to receive an invitation through the golden card system.

However, the association’s source stressed that no club had yet been contacted and that no formal decisions had been issued on the competition’s format or participation arrangements.

Al Ahly are the holders of the previous season’s Egyptian Super Cup, which was also staged in the United Arab Emirates.

They won the trophy by beating Zamalek 2-0 in the final in Abu Dhabi. Ceramica Cleopatra finished third, with Pyramids ending the tournament in fourth place.

The victory gave Al Ahly their 16th Egyptian Super Cup title, including eight triumphs against Zamalek.

It was also their fifth successive success in the competition. In addition, Al Ahly became champions for the third time since the Egyptian Super Cup adopted its current four-team format, completing the tournament with a perfect record.