Al-Ittihad Alexandria and Ceramica Cleopatra will face off today, Tuesday, at 7:30 PM local time, in a critical semi-final match of the Egyptian Professional League Cup, third edition, at the Alexandria Stadium.
Al-Ittihad, dubbed “The Fort’s Leader,” secured their spot in the semi-finals after defeating ENPPI in the quarter-finals with a clean 2-0 victory.
Meanwhile, Ceramica advanced to this stage after triumphing in their quarter-final match.
Under the guidance of coach Tarek El-Ashri, Al-Ittihad Alexandria has prepared diligently for tonight’s encounter, aiming to overcome Ceramica and secure a spot in the league cup final.
El-Ashri has cautioned his players about the threat posed by Ceramica’s midfielders, emphasizing their ability to swiftly transition during matches.
He also urged his team’s defenders to avoid making errors inside the penalty area, while calling on the midfielders and forwards to capitalize on scoring opportunities.
Al-Ittihad faces several absences, including Benjamin Boateng, Bakary, Mapololo, and Karim El-Deeb, further complicating their challenge against Ceramica.
Mohamed Mesilhi, president of Al-Ittihad Alexandria, visited the team and attended their final training session yesterday, aiming to motivate the players and rally their spirits for the crucial match.
He expressed confidence in the team’s formidable capabilities and urged them to secure victory against Ceramica, emphasizing that reaching the final and clinching the championship would be a testament to their hard work throughout the tournament.
Mesilhi revealed that the club’s board has allocated 1000 tickets for the players to attend tonight’s match against Ceramica, with the aim of rallying support for the team and propelling them to the final.
He underscored the significance of the match against Ceramica and expressed his belief in the team’s ability to emerge victorious.
Regarding Mapololo’s absence, Mesilhi acknowledged the impact it would have on the team’s attack but expressed confidence in the remaining players, stating that they would continue to secure victories.
He explained that efforts were made to include Mapololo in the match but were hindered by Angola’s decision to honor the national team, making it difficult for him to participate tonight.
As the match approaches, the main referees committee of the Egyptian Football Association announced the officiating crew for the Ceramica Cleopatra versus Al-Ittihad Alexandria match, with Mohammed Youssef serving as the head referee, assisted by Sameer Jamal, Mohammed Azazi, and Walid Abdel Razek as the fourth official.
Tarek Magdy will be in charge of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology.
