Zamalek president Mortada Mansour has once again made his position clear regarding the upcoming African Super Cup, firmly reiterating his refusal to allow his team to play the final in Qatar. The Egyptian club is scheduled to face Tunisia’s Espérance Sportive de Tunis in the 2018–2019 edition of the competition, but the venue has become a source of growing controversy.
During its executive committee meeting held Thursday in Cairo, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) officially confirmed that the next CAF Super Cup will take place on February 14, 2020, in Doha, Qatar. The decision follows CAF’s existing agreement with Qatari organizers, who are hosting multiple editions of the competition.
Despite the confirmation, Mansour remains strongly opposed to the location. The outspoken Zamalek president had already warned that his club would refuse to travel to Qatar if the match were staged there. Following CAF’s announcement, he reportedly called for an emergency board meeting to discuss the situation and determine the club’s official response. Zamalek’s leadership is now expected to evaluate their options before making a final decision in the coming hours.
The possibility of a boycott has therefore become a real concern. Mansour’s stance reflects not only sporting considerations but also broader political tensions between Egypt and Qatar. Diplomatic relations between the two countries have been strained for several years, with ties deteriorating significantly since 2017. These political disagreements have already affected sporting exchanges, with Egyptian teams in other disciplines reportedly avoiding competitions hosted in Qatar.
CAF’s position, however, is largely contractual. The governing body has an agreement in place with Qatar to host three editions of the African Super Cup — covering the 2017–2018, 2018–2019, and 2019–2020 seasons. This partnership explains why the organization has chosen to maintain Doha as the venue, despite objections from some clubs and officials. From CAF’s perspective, honoring the contract ensures financial stability and organizational continuity for the competition.
For Zamalek, the situation presents a difficult dilemma. On one hand, the African Super Cup offers a prestigious opportunity to add another continental trophy to their history. On the other, the club’s leadership appears unwilling to compromise on its political and diplomatic principles. A boycott would carry significant consequences, both sporting and administrative, and could potentially lead to sanctions or forfeiture.
As tensions mount, fans across Africa are awaiting Zamalek’s final decision. Whether the Egyptian giants ultimately participate or withdraw, the controversy surrounding the venue has already overshadowed what should be a high-profile clash between two of the continent’s most successful clubs. The coming hours are likely to determine whether the match proceeds as planned or takes an unexpected turn.
