With the upcoming Egyptian Cup final between Al Ahly and Zamalek just days away, memories of historic clashes between the two rivals resurface, none more legendary than the encounter that etched Jose’s 381-day Zamalek reign into football folklore.
Al Ahly secured their spot in the final after a commanding 3-0 victory over Enppi, while Zamalek advanced after a nerve-wracking penalty shootout win against Pyramids, ending 4-3 in favor of the White Knights.
For Al Ahly, this final represents an opportunity to claim their first victory against Zamalek in the cup final in nearly 17 years.
Their last cup triumph over their arch-rivals dates back to the 2006-2007 season.
Despite Al Ahly clinching four cup titles since then (2009-10, 2016-17, 2019-2020, 2021-2022), none of these victories came at the expense of Zamalek.
The 2007 Clash: A Historic Encounter
The stage was set on the second of July, 2007, for a historic and electrifying showdown between Al Ahly and Zamalek.
The match proved to be a rollercoaster of emotions from start to finish, with Al Ahly emerging victorious with a thrilling 4-3 win over their fierce rivals.
Al Ahly’s journey to the final was fraught with challenges, overcoming formidable opponents like Tala’ea El Gaish and Ismaily to secure their spot in the championship match.
Zamalek, meanwhile, had a comparatively smoother path to the final, dispatching opponents such as Telecom Egypt and Petrojet along the way.
The 381-Day Drought: A Zamalek Conundrum
The clash carried added significance for Zamalek, who had endured a 381-day winless streak against Al Ahly leading up to the final.
Their last victory over their rivals came in a league match on May 21, 2007.
The final itself commenced with both teams locked in a stalemate until the 50th minute when Amr Zaki netted for Zamalek, only for Emad Moteab to equalize for Al Ahly seven minutes later.
Shikabala then put Zamalek ahead in the 65th minute with a powerful strike, raising hopes of ending their cup drought.
However, Mohamed Aboutrika shattered those dreams with a late equalizer, forcing the match into extra time.
In a dramatic turn of events, Al Ahly’s Osama Hosny scored two goals in extra time, securing a 3-3 draw and ultimately clinching Al Ahly’s 34th cup title.
The match remains a timeless reminder of the fierce rivalry between Al Ahly and Zamalek and the memorable moments it has produced throughout history.
