Pyramids coach Gedo hopes Al Ahly-Zamalek derby result helps title challenge

Mohamed Nagy Gedo is hoping the outcome of Sunday’s Al Ahly-Zamalek derby will benefit Pyramids’ position in the Egyptian Premier League.

Zamalek will face Al Ahly in the sixth round of the league at 20:00 on Sunday, with the two sides level on 13 points.

“If the result of the derby serves Pyramids, that would be good for us,” Gedo, Pyramids’ coach, told MBC Masr. “If both teams lose, that would be great. A draw would also be a good result.”

Gedo played down the possibility that the fixture would determine the eventual champions, pointing to last season’s results as evidence that the title race can remain open despite key head-to-head matches.

“The result of that match will not decide the league title,” he said. “Last season, Al Ahly beat Zamalek twice, while we beat Al Ahly and Zamalek beat us, but the title was decided in the end.”

Al Ahly defeated Zamalek 2-1 and 3-0 in their two meetings last season. Zamalek, however, beat Pyramids home and away, winning both matches 1-0.

Pyramids recorded victories over Al Ahly by scores of 2-0 and 3-0, while Zamalek secured the title on the final day after a closely contested battle that continued until the last round.

Pyramids will return to action on Monday, when they face Ceramica Cleopatra in another sixth-round fixture.

The club, known as the Sky Blues, lead the Egyptian Premier League with 15 points. Zamalek and Al Ahly follow on 13 points each.