New champion set to be crowned in Egyptian Cup

Al Ahly's players celebrate with the trophy after winning the Egyptian Cup final soccer match between Al Ahly SC and Pyramids FC, in Cairo, Egypt, 10 April 2023. EPA/KHALED ELFIQI

by Staff Reporter

Wednesday Aug 28, 2024. 12:00

The Egyptian Cup is set to have a new champion for the first time since 2009, with Pyramids FC and ZED FC meeting in next week’s final.

ZED will feature in the Egyptian Cup final for the first time ever, while Pyramids will make a third appearance – adding to 2019 and 2023, when they lost to Zamalek and Al Ahly respectively.

The two finalists didn’t have easy paths, as ZED achieved a 1-0 away win on Tuesday afternoon over the two-time Egyptian Cup champions, Ismaily. Dilson Kamone’s early goal proved to be the difference between the teams.

Magdy Abdelaaty, ZED manager, reflected on his team’s victory: “I would like to thank my players for tonight’s performance against a strong side. We were determined to win the match and reach the final. We will give everything to win the title on Friday.”

Abdelaaty hopes to guide his team to their first-ever title, just as what he did as a player when he scored the winning goal for ENPPI in the 2005 Egyptian Cup final against Al Ittihad of Alexandria, securing that club’s first-ever title.

ZED will have a strong battle in the final against Pyramids, who defeated Al Masry on penalties following a 1-1 draw on Tuesday night at Borg El Arab Stadium in Alexandria.

Fagrie Lakay opened the scoring for Pyramids in the first half, before Salah Mohsen equalised for Al Masry in the final minutes of the regular time.

The match saw two red cards, one to each side. Pyramids played more than one hour with 10 men, as Mahmoud Marei was shown a red card following a VAR review in the 55th minute, while Al Masry’s Tunisian striker, Fakhereedine Ben Youssef, was sent off in the dying seconds of the extra time.

“I am very proud of my players. They played one hour with ten men but they put everything on the pitch. I have an excellent group of players who want to win something and I am really happy to lead this group,” Pyramids manager Krunoslav Jurčić, Pyramids said.

Borg El Arab Stadium will host the competition’s final next Friday, 6 September.