Something else

It doesn't matter who wins the football league. The famed Ahli-Zamalek derby is a championship unto itself, writes Mohamed El-Sayed

---

On Saturday night at the 30,000-seat Military Academy Stadium, Egypt's most popular football powerhouses Ahli and Zamalek will meet in the 95th clash in their illustrious history.

Despite the fact that Ahli won the national league title -- seven weeks before the end of the competition -- the summit match is still seen by both sides as a championship in itself.

Having prematurely won their record 30th local title after a four-year drought, and the first this century, the Ahli red devils now seek to put the icing on the cake.

In this victorious season, Ahli also managed to set a world record by winning 17 consecutive league matches.

Ironically, the last defeat the reds received in the league was at the hands of Zamalek in May 2004 when they lost 2-1.

In preparation for the summit game, Ahli flied on Sunday to Kuwait for a friendly. Nine of the club's players went further, to South Korea, for a warm-up game in Seoul.

Observers believe Ahli hold the upper hand in the game with Zamalek, having a plethora of Egypt's most talented and fittest players whom they signed at the beginning of this season.

Zamalek on the other hand have very little to lose. Having lost all hopes of a third consecutive league title, they view the encounter as an opportunity to wreck the red devils' chances of continuing their unbeaten streak. The Egyptian record is 52, held by Zamalek.

As is their habit before important matches, Zamalek went camping to the coastal city of Ismailia, 140 kilometres northeast of Cairo.

Except for junior talent Shikabala, whose attempt to play in Greece has left him out of the line-up, Zamalek is complete. Captain and playmaker Hazem Imam will make his first appearance since early this season. Tamer Abdel-Hamid, a key player in the midfield, will be ready to take part as well.

Given that the club's elections for president and board of directors is close, Zamalek's officials have flung open their wallets, giving the players their due money and promising them more of the same if they win the derby.

In their last outing, Ahli hammered Zamalek 4-2.

Ahli have beaten Zamalek 31 times; Zamalek have won 24 times. There have been 39 draws.

In other matches on Saturday, fourth place Ismaili meet 10th place, newly promoted Cement Assuit; and Ghazl Al-Mehallah will play the Army. Tomorrow Cement Suez will clash with Baladiyet Al-Mehalla; Tersana meet Misri of Port Said; Mansoura come face to face with Ittihad of Alexandria; and fifth of the table the Coastal Guards will clash with third place Enppi.