Zamalek great Gamal Abdel Hamid blames refereeing for Al Ahly’s derby advantage

Former Zamalek forward Gamal Abdel Hamid says refereeing decisions and perceived injustice have played a major role in Al Ahly’s superior record in the history of the Cairo derby.

Speaking on The Defender, broadcast on Al Shams channel and presented by Dr Ahmed El-Bakry, Abdel Hamid said: “Injustice and referees are the reason for Al Ahly’s superiority over Zamalek in the history of their meetings.”

The former Zamalek player also assessed the circumstances surrounding the teams’ forthcoming derby, arguing that Zamalek will enter the match without the same pressure facing their opponents.

Abdel Hamid believes Zamalek’s supporters provide the players with consistent backing, allowing them to approach major matches with greater confidence rather than feeling under constant scrutiny from the stands.

“Zamalek are playing the derby without pressure because the supporters are always behind the players, unlike Al Ahly, who play under pressure,” he said.

His comments focus on the contrasting environments around the two clubs before one of Egyptian football’s most significant fixtures. While he considers Zamalek’s players to be protected by the support of their fans, he suggested Al Ahly must cope with heavier expectations before the game.

Abdel Hamid also discussed Zamalek’s defeat by ZED and rejected the idea that the club’s younger players should be held responsible for the result.

He said introducing young players and giving them meaningful opportunities requires patience. In his view, a single match cannot provide a fair basis for judging the future of those players or determining whether they are ready to contribute at the highest level.

The former Zamalek star stressed that the loss to ZED should not diminish the reputation or potential of the club’s young players. Difficult results, he said, are a normal part of developing a side capable of competing in the future.

Rather than treating the defeat as evidence of a wider problem, Abdel Hamid presented it as one of the challenges involved in building a team. Young players need time to gain experience, while the process of establishing a competitive squad cannot be measured by one isolated result.

He ended with a firm message about Zamalek’s status and prospects, insisting that the club would remain a major institution regardless of circumstances or results.

Abdel Hamid said Zamalek were capable of overcoming any setback and returning strongly in their upcoming matches.