Shikabala criticises Hussein Amouta’s tactics despite Al Ahly’s triumph over Zamalek

Moroccan coach Hussein Amouta secured his first Cairo derby victory as Al Ahly head coach on Sunday, but former Zamalek captain Mahmoud Abdel Razek “Shikabala” questioned his tactics despite the 2-0 Egyptian Premier League win.

Al Ahly defeated their fierce rivals at Cairo International Stadium in Matchday 6, with Mohamed Hany and Algerian substitute Monsef Bakrar scoring either side of half-time to secure the points.

However, Shikabala argued that Al Ahly could have won by a wider margin, given the opportunities presented by Zamalek’s performance.

Shikabala questions Amouta’s tactics

Speaking on Egyptian television programme El Kora Maa Fayek, the former Egypt international suggested that Amouta could have made better use of Zamalek’s weaknesses and the attacking quality available to him.

“If Hussein Amouta were really a great coach, in my opinion, and with the way Zamalek were playing, if he had used Zizo and Bencharki properly, this match would have ended three or four [for Al Ahly],” Shikabala said.

He also questioned the overall quality of Al Ahly’s performance, arguing that the final score did not reflect a particularly impressive attacking display.

“Technically, I feel Al Ahly did nothing on the pitch,” he said, claiming that a deflection contributed to the opening goal and that Zamalek goalkeeper El Mahdi Soliman could have done better to prevent the second.

Despite the criticism, Amouta’s team emerged with all three points in one of Egyptian football’s biggest fixtures.

Hany and Bakrar seal derby victory

Al Ahly broke the deadlock in the 39th minute when Mohamed Hany scored with a long-range effort.

The Red Devils then strengthened their advantage in the 80th minute through Algerian substitute Monsef Bakrar, who found the net to secure a 2-0 victory.

The result marked Amouta’s first Cairo derby since taking charge of Al Ahly, giving the Moroccan coach an important win against the club’s biggest domestic rivals.

Amouta describes victory as deserved

Speaking after the match, Amouta acknowledged the difficulty of the contest, particularly because several players had returned from international duty shortly before the derby.

“The Al Ahly-Zamalek derby is always difficult,” Amouta said. “The match was very difficult, especially with the players only recently returning from their national teams. Our victory was deserved.”

The Moroccan also praised former Zamalek players Ahmed Sayed “Zizo” and Achraf Bencharki, with Zizo featuring in several attacking positions during the match.

Al Ahly move ahead of Zamalek

The victory temporarily lifted Al Ahly to the top of the Egyptian Premier League standings with 16 points, three clear of Zamalek.

It also extended Al Ahly’s record in the league’s Cairo derby to 53 victories.

While Amouta celebrated a winning start to his personal derby record, Shikabala’s comments ensured that debate over Al Ahly’s performance and the coach’s tactical decisions continued after the final whistle.