Former Gabon forward Malick Evouna backs Al Ahly to beat Zamalek

Former Al Ahly striker Malick Evouna has backed the Egyptian giants to defeat arch-rivals Zamalek in the upcoming Cairo derby, predicting a 2-1 victory for the Red Devils while reflecting on his unforgettable experiences in one of African football’s fiercest rivalries.

The former Gabon international, who scored against Zamalek during his time with Al Ahly, believes the derby carries a special significance for players, particularly foreign strikers seeking to establish themselves in the club’s history.

Speaking to Kora Plus, Evouna recalled the emotions surrounding his goal against Zamalek, insisting that the atmosphere inside the stadium made the occasion impossible to forget.

“It is impossible for me to forget the Cairo summit, it is not an ordinary match, and when I watch Al-Ahly and Zamalek on television I get goosebumps again. My best memories are not only about the goal, but also about the sound of the fans after it, when the whole stadium exploded with chants,” he said.

Evouna added that scoring in such a high-profile encounter can earn a player a special place in the hearts of supporters.

“For a foreign striker, scoring in this match means going down in the club’s history, and I felt that that day,” he added.

The former striker also revealed how his teammates prepared him for the pressure ahead of the 2016 derby, recalling advice from experienced figures Hossam Ghaly and Abdullah Al-Saeed.

According to Evouna, his teammates stressed that delivering in the derby could leave a lasting impression on the supporters, even if a player struggled in other matches.

“Hossam Ghaly and Abdullah Al-Saeed told me, like all my teammates, if I score in this match, the fans will never forget you. They explained to me that you can fail in other matches, but in the derby match you are not allowed to do so, and I knew that I was able to make a difference because everyone trusted me,” he recalled.

Evouna described the atmosphere in Al Ahly’s dressing room before derby matches as intense, with players fully aware of the responsibility that came with representing the club.

He explained that although the coaching staff reminded them that the encounter carried the same three points as any other league fixture, the expectations of the supporters made it a different challenge.

The former Gabon international has urged the current Al Ahly squad to approach the upcoming meeting with confidence, pressing Zamalek from the opening whistle and making the most of their scoring opportunities.

“Al Ahly must play its style without fear against Zamalek, and not think too much about calculations, but rather press from the front from the first minute and impose the rhythm of the match, and most importantly take advantage of opportunities in front of the goal. In summit matches, you get one or two chances, not ten, so you must score them,” he said.

He also delivered a message to Al Ahly’s main striker, urging him to remain composed despite the pressure that comes with playing in the Cairo derby.

“Keep calm, everyone will shout and put you under pressure, but you have to stay calm inside the penalty area. Don’t rush to score, the goal will come, and when the opportunity comes, be ready, because one chance can make you a hero,” Evouna advised.

When asked which striker most resembles his playing style, Evouna pointed to Palestinian forward Wissam Abu Ali, praising his instincts inside the penalty area and his determination in front of goal.

“I saw that Wissam Abu Ali was very similar to me, because he is a real striker inside the penalty area and knows how to find his way to the goal, and he has the right mentality and ferocity that I was distinguished by,” he said.

Evouna also identified Imam Ashour as a player with the personality needed to perform in high-pressure encounters, highlighting the importance of character alongside technical ability.

The former Al Ahly forward believes the club’s winning mentality remains unchanged despite the differences between his generation and the current squad. While he noted that his team had more experienced players in the dressing room, he maintained that the expectation of victory remains central to the club’s identity.

“Al Ahly’s DNA does not change, the winning mentality is always there. Perhaps in my generation we had a larger number of experienced players in the derby matches in the dressing room, while the current team has become more dependent on international players and more technical, but the demands have not changed: at Al Ahly, you must win the derby,” he said.

Evouna further underlined the lasting significance of scoring against Zamalek, revealing that he would choose to score another derby goal rather than simply play the entire 90 minutes.

“I will choose to score another goal against Zamalek without hesitation. Playing 90 minutes is good, but scoring against Zamalek remains in the memory for a lifetime, and the fans will still chant your name even after many years have passed,” he stated.

Despite his confidence in Al Ahly, Evouna warned the club’s defence against underestimating Zamalek’s attacking threat, specifically identifying Abdullah Al-Saeed as a player capable of influencing the outcome through his passing and set-piece ability. He also urged the defenders to remain alert to the danger posed by Zamalek’s foreign striker.

“Zamalek always has good players in the front line, and at the moment we must be very careful of Abdullah Al-Saeed, as he is the team’s playmaker and can change the outcome of the match through a free kick or a pass. Also, their new foreign striker is very dangerous, and Al-Ahly’s defense must be at the height of vigilance,” he warned.

However, Evouna has ultimately backed his former club to emerge victorious, predicting a narrow 2-1 win for Al Ahly. He also tipped Hussein El Shahat and Imam Ashour to find the net in what he expects to be a difficult encounter.

“I cannot be neutral, my heart is with Al-Ahly. I expect Al-Ahly to win, and it will be a difficult match, but I predict Al-Ahly will win 2-1, and I expect Hussein El Shahat and Emam Ashour to score,” he concluded.