With the Cairo derby being played in the CAF Champions League for the FIRST time, we reached out to our mate & editor of @King_Fut, Ahmad Yousef ( @EgyptianPlayers) to explain why @ZSCOfficial_EN vs @AlAhlyEnglish is the biggest match of the year.

THREAD đŸ‡Ș🇬👇
With the Cairo derby being played in the CAF Champions League for the FIRST time, we reached out to our mate & editor of @King_Fut, Ahmad Yousef ( @EgyptianPlayers) to explain why @ZSCOfficial_EN vs @AlAhlyEnglish is the biggest match of the year. THREAD
With the Cairo derby being played in the CAF Champions League for the FIRST time, we reached out to our mate & editor of @King_Fut, Ahmad Yousef ( @EgyptianPlayers) to explain why @ZSCOfficial_EN vs @AlAhlyEnglish is the biggest match of the year. THREAD
Almost all of Egypt’s 98 million-strong population are either an ‘Ahlawy’ or a ‘Zamalkawy’. It’s a rivalry so strong that not only do the Egyptian FA hire foreign referees for neutrality, but many fans don’t marry those supporting their rival.
Almost all of Egypt’s 98 million-strong population are either an ‘Ahlawy’ or a ‘Zamalkawy’. It’s a rivalry so strong that not only do the Egyptian FA hire foreign referees for neutrality, but many fans don’t marry those supporting their rival.
Almost all of Egypt’s 98 million-strong population are either an ‘Ahlawy’ or a ‘Zamalkawy’. It’s a rivalry so strong that not only do the Egyptian FA hire foreign referees for neutrality, but many fans don’t marry those supporting their rival.
To kick things off we’ll need a little background info on how Egypt and Africa’s two most successful sides were founded and then became the bitter rivals they are today.
To kick things off we’ll need a little background info on how Egypt and Africa’s two most successful sides were founded and then became the bitter rivals they are today.
To kick things off we’ll need a little background info on how Egypt and Africa’s two most successful sides were founded and then became the bitter rivals they are today.
1907: Al Ahly was established by an Egyptian teacher who wanted to connect students and graduates who believed in the revolution against the British occupation in the hopes of starting a movement.

Here’s their first club meeting...
1911: Zamalek was founded by a Belgian lawyer and an archaeologist, George Marzbach and Howard Carter, to set up a club for the non-English expat communities as well as Egyptians. The club later became associated with the royal family and became known as the “King’s Club”.
1911: Zamalek was founded by a Belgian lawyer and an archaeologist, George Marzbach and Howard Carter, to set up a club for the non-English expat communities as well as Egyptians. The club later became associated with the royal family and became known as the “King’s Club”.
1911: Zamalek was founded by a Belgian lawyer and an archaeologist, George Marzbach and Howard Carter, to set up a club for the non-English expat communities as well as Egyptians. The club later became associated with the royal family and became known as the “King’s Club”.
With each clubs ideologies so different in the early years their supporters became more split, with affluent loyalists typically supporting Zamalek and the working-class nationalists usually supporting Al Ahly.
The King was ousted in 1952 by nationalists, and as the country became more politically divided so did the two clubs, whose rivalry grew as they began to dominate.

King Farouk I was heavily involved with Zamalek, even temporarily changing their name to Farouk I Club in the 40’s.
The King was ousted in 1952 by nationalists, and as the country became more politically divided so did the two clubs, whose rivalry grew as they began to dominate.King Farouk I was heavily involved with Zamalek, even temporarily changing their name to Farouk I Club in the 40’s.
The King was ousted in 1952 by nationalists, and as the country became more politically divided so did the two clubs, whose rivalry grew as they began to dominate.King Farouk I was heavily involved with Zamalek, even temporarily changing their name to Farouk I Club in the 40’s.
In the 70’s the fixture became more violent, with a match in ‘71 causing so much trouble between fans that the entire league was discontinued that season so that order could be resumed.

This is well worth a read from @JamesPiotr : https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/jul/18/alahly.zamalek
Football: James Montague on the world's most violent derby - Zamalek v Al Ahly

A clash of nationalism, class and escapism going back 100 years means it's not just fists that fly in the Cairo derby, writes James Montague

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/jul/18/alahly.zamalek
In 2007, both Zamalek and Ahly set up their ultras groups. They became staples of their clubs matches with banners and pyro shows a regular feature in the stands.
In 2007, both Zamalek and Ahly set up their ultras groups. They became staples of their clubs matches with banners and pyro shows a regular feature in the stands.
In 2007, both Zamalek and Ahly set up their ultras groups. They became staples of their clubs matches with banners and pyro shows a regular feature in the stands.
2011: The ultras groups, who both disbanded in 2018, became fundamental organisations within Egyptian football and politics, even uniting to help oust President Hosni Mubarak. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44280548
Zamalek follow Ahly and disband Ultras group

The 'Ultras White Knights', staunch fans of Egyptian giants Zamalek, disband their group, bringing the Ultras era in Egypt to an end after 11 years.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44280548
Over the years Al Ahly have prevailed as the more successful side, winning the Egyptian Premier League 42 times, the Egyptian Cup 36 times and the CAF CL 8 times!

They’re the most decorated club in the World, and with 137 trophies, CAF announced them ‘club of the century’.
Zamalek tend to focus on the cup competitions...

- 5x CAF CL
- 1x CAF Confed Cup
- 12x Egyptian PL
- 27x Egyptian Cup

These numbers may look inferior, but they still make Zamalek the second most successful club in Africa.
Earlier this year, Zamalek players were sanctioned for their antics and played disruptions after their penalty shootout win in the Egyptian Super Cup against Al Ahly.

The eccentric Zamalek chairman then forfeited the Cairo Derby in the league just 4 days later in protest. https://twitter.com/lorenz_ko/status/1232027499200118789
Zamalek then returned to the last Cairo derby in August with vengeance and came out as 3-1 victors over their bitter rivals.

They go into the final knowing they’ve beat Al Ahly on both occasions this year.
Despite that, Ahly are the favourites after winning the domestic league and recently hiring the ‘Pep of African Football’ @TheRealPitso from Mamelodi Sundowns in South Africa. https://twitter.com/otw_podcast/status/1314513435946778631
For this Cairo Derby, the main question still on everyone’s mind is where will the game actually be
played, with three different stadiums claiming they will be hosting the final.

Lets hope it will be played in Cairo 🙏 https://twitter.com/King_Fut/status/1325769383914991618
It’s a massive game that deserves a crowd, so here’s a couple of clips to imagine what it would’ve been like...
Worth noting this was just a training session too đŸ€Ż
Regardless of where the game’s played and the fact there’ll be no fans in attendance, Egypt will come to a standstill to watch the most important Cairo Derby of all time. đŸ‡Ș🇬🏆
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