Ihab El Komy, a board member of the Egyptian Football Association, has emphasized the significant impact of Zamalek’s absence from the NBE Super Cup on the overall fan engagement.
Zamalek, one of Egypt’s premier football clubs, opted out of the revamped NBE Super Cup following their penalty for non-participation in the previous edition, which saw Al Ahly claim the title against Pyramids.
The NBE Super Cup, hosted in Abu Dhabi for the first time and featuring Al Ahly, Pyramids, Modern Future, and Ceramica Cleopatra, has witnessed Al Ahly and Modern Future securing spots in the final after eliminating Ceramica Cleopatra and Pyramids in the semi-finals.
In a statement to Sada El Balad channel, El Komy acknowledged, “We must admit that Zamalek’s absence has a profound impact on the NBE Super Cup in terms of fan engagement.”
Elaborating further, he stated, “If Zamalek were present alongside Al Ahly, the dynamics would have been different in terms of fan turnout.
” Expressing a sense of sadness regarding Zamalek’s non-participation, he clarified that there is no regret regarding the decision to exclude them.
“We are saddened by Zamalek’s absence from the Super Cup, but we do not feel regretful about the decision to exclude them because, if we aim for progress, regulations must be applied to everyone without exception,” he added.
El Komy concluded optimistically, saying, “I am confident that the final match will draw a larger crowd than the Al Ahly vs. Ceramica game, which witnessed the presence of over 8,000 fans.
” The absence of Zamalek has undoubtedly added a layer of intrigue to the tournament, with fans eagerly anticipating the final showdown between Al Ahly and Modern Future.
