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Al-Ahram Weekly On-line 16 - 22 November 2000 Issue No.508 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly On-line 16 - 22 November 2000 Issue No.508
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Focus Travel Living Sports Profile People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters Both are going to win
By Abeer AnwarAhli and Zamalek, that ever popular football match-up, continue their traditional rivalry in a match that as usual, could go either way. But going by the war of words leading up to today's collision, neither team thinks so.
Both teams enter the head-to-head clash confident of victory and their two German coaches are the acerbic cheerleaders.
"I think that Ahli is an open book," Zamalek's Otto Pfister says. "I can read them so easily and I don't think that the team's plan will include any surprises."
Don't be so sure, retorts Ahli's Hans Jurgen Dereski. "All what Pfister says is nonsense. On the contrary, all their plans are transparent. If Pfister thinks that we're an open book, what counts is how to use this knowledge to your advantage." Dereski, hired only two months ago, added matter-of-factly, "I think Zamalek is very easy to beat."
The tit-for-tat exchanges, albeit trite at times, are grounded in several concrete facts. Ahli is the defending league champions and after winning the title seven consecutive years look to make it eight. However, the red shirts, currently in second place with 16 points from six matches, come off a disastrous 4-1 loss to Lobi Stars of Nigeria in the African League Championship. Although Ahli was officially out of the running for the continental trophy before meeting up with the Nigerians, the loss does not give the squad the needed momentum before they square off against their downtown rivals.
Zamalek is the reigning cup holder and in addition has reached the final of the African Cup Winners Cup. An African trophy would go some way towards redeeming fans who have had to be content as bridesmaids for the league title throughout all the years Ahli have emerged on top.
Zamalek's off-season trades brought a distinct new look to the club along with loads of optimism that this will be their year. The club's five new players have helped Zamalek get off to the fastest possible start in the league, a perfect 21 points from its first seven matches.
Two of the new acquisitions, the notorious twins Hossam and Ibrahim Hassan, will be up for special scrutiny. The ex-Ahli duo, whose jump to Zamalek in summer shook Egypt's sporting world, will certainly be feeling the heat on Thursday, a day in which they will be expected to do well or stand accused of maintaining allegiance to their former club.
"You must be loyal to the jersey you're wearing," Hossam recently said, "especially since Zamalek took me in at a time Ahli ignored me, so I owe this team a lot.
The Hassan twins when they were in the red
"For me, this match will be very different. I will be playing against my previous team for the first time in my career. It will be very difficult but I will do my best to score for my new club."
Echoing the same sentiments was brother Ibrahim. "What I will concentrate on is to do my best to repay Zamalek who stood by my side. I will prove to all that Ibrahim Hassan still has a lot left in him," said the 15-year veteran whose scoring prowess this year belies his 34-year-old legs.
"This match always has a flavour all its own," continued Hossam. Showing a bit more humility than his coach, Hossam thought the game was too close to call. "No one can tell who will win but I'm sure it will be a good one, if not the best yet between us." The reasoning is that the encounter will take place earlier than usual in the season, in which case the loser, if there is one, will have ample time for damage control.
The twins' debut against Ahli will be the highlight of the game and the danger they pose to their former club cannot be underestimated. But the Ahli camp is not pushing any alarm buttons. Dereski says they are very good players "but being in Zamalek won't change things one way or the other."
Mukhtar Mukhtar, Ahli's coach before the advent of Dereski, says Hossam and Ibrahim's penchant to lose their temper can get the better of them. "The twins are good but we know their weak points and we will play on this," Mukhtar said. "Sometimes they get carried away by their enthusiasm which makes for fatal mistakes and we'll be there to capitalise."
Despite his air of confidence, Pfister refused to be complacent or count Ahli out. "Exiting out of the African championship is not a sign of demise. The team was simply unable to score despite several easy chances."
Both coaches claim they will attack from the opening minute. "I will play to win," Pfister said. "We will attack from the word go because I prefer to attack than defend." That would be taken to mean off the field as well.
Related stories:
Trying to buy a championship 26 Oct. - 1 Nov. 2000
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