Mamdouh Abbas denies reports of huge الزمالك bonuses for الاهلي derby

Mamdouh Abbas, honorary president of الزمالك, has denied reports that he promised the club’s players substantial financial rewards if they beat الاهلي in Sunday’s Egyptian Premier League derby.

The two Cairo clubs meet at Cairo International Stadium in the sixth round of the competition, with both sides aiming to move closer to leaders بيراميدز.

Abbas said on X: “Today’s الزمالك and الاهلي match is a league game. I have not spoken to anyone in the media about huge or otherwise financial bonuses.”

He added: “There are regulations governing this matter with the board of directors.”

الاهلي are third in the Egyptian Premier League table on 13 points, level with second-placed الزمالك. الزمالك occupy the higher position because of their superior goal difference, while بيراميدز lead the standings with 15 points.

عدي الدباغ and احمد الجفالي are included in الزمالك’s squad for the match.

According to FilGoal.com, the squad is:

Goalkeepers: المهدي سليمان, محمد صبحي, محمد عواد

Defenders: محمد اسماعيل, محمود حمدي “الونش”, مصطفى الزناري, احمد حسام, عمر جابر, محمود بنتايك, احمد فتوح, محمد فرج

Midfielders: محمد شحاتة, احمد ربيع, محمود جهاد, ادم كايد, عبدالله السعيد, شيكو بانزا, احمد عبد الرحيم “ايشو”, احمد الجفالي, محمد حمد

Forwards: ناصر منسي, حسام اشرف, عدي الدباغ, احمد شريف

الزمالك absentees

سيف فاروق جعفر, يوسف وايل “فرنسي”, السيد اسامة and احمد خضري have been left out for technical reasons.

محمد السيد, محمد ابراهيم and عمرو ناصر are also unavailable because they are not fully fit.

The match will be broadcast on ON Sport and ON Sport Max.

ايمن الكاشف will comment on the first audio channel and محمد الشاذلي on the second for ON Sport. On ON Sport Max, بلال علام will provide commentary on the first audio channel, while مومن حسن will comment on the second.