Two weeks overdue
The clash between Ahli and Zamalek will be the main attraction as the Egyptian Premiership resumes after an unexpected break. Eric Asomugha reports
The stage is now set for the much anticipated clash of the titans at Cairo Stadium on Saturday, 19 April between league leaders Ahli and arch rivals Zamalek after a 15-day emergency break in the competition.
The matches in week 22 were initially scheduled to take place on 4 April but were postponed on the orders of the Egyptian Football Association due to the tension over the war in Iraq. The authorities feared that anti-war protests, a regular feature on Egyptian streets, could result in riots inside football stadiums.
Both teams clash on Saturday for the second time season and the 90th time in their history. Ahli have won 30 of the meetings, Zamalek 21, while both settled for a draw in 39 encounters.
Several days leading up to the derby, fans of both teams were already at loggerheads, trading verbal pre-match punches, a clear indication of the fireworks expected on match day.
Tactics-wise, the approach that characterised the first round match, which was occasionally interrupted by players temperament and which resulted in a 2-2 draw, may be witnessed once more.
As one analyst put it, "it is not just a battle for pride but one that the winner will profit from greatly as the league wraps up. Moreover, the outcome of the four remaining matches remains a very important deciding factor in determining who wins the league."
Ahli are topping the table with 57 points, five points ahead of Zamalek. Both would have two home and two away matches left after they meet on Saturday. Ahli host Tersana and Baladia and in between they travel to Aswan before visiting ENPPI in their last league match on 23 May.
On the other hand, Zamalek visit the Arab Contractors and before an away match with Mehalla, they will host Goldi before finally facing Ismaili in Cairo.
Meanwhile, an unpopular battle rages on at the bottom of the league table to decide the unlucky team to join Aswan and Goldi in the relegation wagon.
Aswan and Goldi have six and nine points respectively. Win or lose all their remaining matches, they are destined to relegation. Caught in the fight to escape relegation are Ittihad of Alexandria and Mansoura. Both teams share 19 points apiece.
Mansoura have two home matches against Aswan and ENPPI and three away matches against Tersana, Baladia and the Border Guards.
Ittihad have three home matches against Mehalla, Ismaili and the Guards, and two away matches against ENPPI and Misri.
Taking a look back to the first round matches, Mansoura edged Aswan 1- 0, drew 1-1 with ENPPI and lost the rest, while Ittihad lost all their matches and garnered no points.
Should both teams pull surprises and prove the experts wrong by winning more matches than expected, teams within the periphery of relegation such as the Arab Contractors and Baladia may be the surprise victims. The picture becomes clearer as the league concludes on 23 May.
Other fixtures on Saturday: Baladia / ENPPI; Tersana / Mansoura; Ismaili Goldi; Aswan / Border Guards; Misri / Arab Contractors; Ittihad / Mehalla.
All matches will be played 3pm Cairo Local Time while Ahli vs Zamalek takes place at 7pm.
