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Cash-strapped Zamalek eye record CAF Cup winners prize

JOHANNESBURG: Financially-embattled Egyptian club Zamalek will pocket a record four-million-dollar CAF Confederation Cup prize if they beat Algerian outfit USM Alger in the two-leg final. USM host the first match on Saturday in front of a 50,000 crowd and the return game is set for Cairo on May 16 in a showdown between former winners of the competition. Zamalek lifted the trophy, the African equivalent of the UEFA Europa League, in 2019 and 2024. USM won in 2023. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) recently announced 100 percent increases in the prizes for the winners and runners-up to four and two million dollars respectively. The decision was a timely boost for Zamalek, the second most successful club in CAF competitions with 13 titles, but battling with reported debts of $6.5 million. Egyptian media say the team, popularly known as the White Knights, owe clubs in Africa and Europe for players they brought to Cairo. Ukrainian club Oleksandriya say they sold Brazilian striker Juan Bezerra to Zamalek, but some transfer fee instalments are overdue. Former coaches, including Swiss Christian Gross and Portuguese Jose Gomes, are also owed money.

Algeria turn to ‘retired’ goalkeeper after injuries deplete World Cup choices

ALGIERS: Algeria face a goalkeeping crisis for the ‌World Cup that they are hoping to alleviate with the return of a player from retirement. Oussama Benbot, retired from the national team after being an unused substitute at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco at the end of the year, could prove the solution to a dilemma that has befallen the side after injuries left Melvin Mastil and Luca Zidane doubtful and Anthony Mandrea ruled out. The 31-year-old Benbot’s form played a large part in his club USM Alger reaching the African Confederation Cup final, where they host Egypt’s Zamalek in the first leg on Saturday. Algerian media reports said he ‌had provoked ‌the ire of Algeria coach Vladimir Petkovic with outbursts ‌over ⁠his lack of ⁠playing time with the Algerian side. However, the need for a goalkeeper for the World Cup has seen him return to contention for a place in the squad that will be named later this month. Luca Zidane, son of French World Cup winner Zinedine Zidane, was Algeria’s first-choice goalkeeper at the Cup of Nations but turned in several undistinguished performances and then last month ⁠suffered fractures to his jaw and chin in a ‌Spanish second-tier match with his club Granada. Mastil, ‌who plays in Switzerland and won a first cap in March, has since undergone ‌hernia surgery, while Mandrea dislocated his shoulder in training with his ‌French club Caen and will miss the tournament in Canada, Mexico and the US Mandrea had been Algeria’s first choice over the past five years but when Caen were relegated to the French third tier last year, Petkovic said he would not ‌consider selecting a player from as low a league level. The 27-year-old Zidane, who, like his three brothers, won ⁠caps for ⁠France at

NZ add Haiti friendly to World Cup warm-up schedule

May 6 : New Zealand will face Haiti in a friendly in Florida in early June four days before they take on England to conclude their preparations for the World Cup, NZ Football said on Wednesday.

FIFA invites Iran to headquarters for World Cup talks

PARIS: FIFA has invited the Iranian football federation (FFIRI) to its headquarters for talks over the country’s participation at this year’s World Cup, a source told AFP on Tuesday. Iran’s presence at the tournament, held in the United States, Canada and Mexico between June 11 and July 19, has been shrouded in uncertainty since the eruption of war in the Middle East in February following strikes by the United States and Israel. The source said FIFA had asked the FFIRI to visit its Zurich base “by May 20 to prepare for the World Cup.” Last week, FIFA president Gianni Infantino reiterated Iran will play their World Cup games in the United States as scheduled. “Let me start by the outset, confirming straightaway that of course Iran will be participating at the FIFA World Cup 2026,” Infantino said as he addressed delegates at the FIFA Congress in Vancouver. “And of course, Iran will play (in) the United States of America.” Iran’s delegation was the only absentee from the 211-member congress after a clash with Canadian border officials. Iranian media said FFIRI president Mehdi Taj — a former member of Tehran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) — and two colleagues flew home after being “insulted” by Canadian immigration officers. Canada, which designated the IRGC a terrorist organization in 2024, said individuals linked to the force were “inadmissible.” On his return home, Taj told local media he wanted a meeting with FIFA to discuss a variety of subjects. Iran, who are due to be based in Tucson, Arizona, during the World Cup, face New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt in Group G. The Iranians open their World Cup campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15.

Albrahim targets statement debut as PFL MENA heads to Dubai

RIYADH: Saudi fighter Ahmed Albrahim is set to make his professional debut later this month when PFL MENA arrives in Dubai, with the welterweight determined to deliver a statement performance on one of the region’s biggest stages.

Bencharki leads Al Ahly to 3-0 win over Zamalek in Cairo derby

CAIRO: ‌Forward Achraf Bencharki scored twice and set up another goal as Al-Ahly beat Zamalek 3-0 in the Egyptian Premier League on Friday. The Moroccan opened the scoring with a header in the Cairo derby in the 18th minute but did not celebrate against his former club. Al-Ahly doubled their lead in the 32nd minute when Bencharki ‌provided the ‌assist for Hussein El Shahat, ‌who ⁠chipped the ball ⁠over Zamalek goalkeeper El Mahdi Soliman. “It was a poor match for us and an even worse result,” Zamalek coach Motamed Gamal told reporters. “I am sad for Zamalek’s supporters.

Usyk backs Joshua to beat Fury ahead of heavyweight showdown

May 2 : World heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk has backed Anthony Joshua to defeat Tyson Fury in their long‑anticipated clash later this year and has been helping him with his gameplan.

Saturday’s briefing: Leeds close on survival and Salah at peace

Leeds are on the verge of securing Premier League survival thanks to a 3-1 win over already-relegated Burnley on Friday night.

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Egypt Sport News

Cash-strapped Zamalek eye record CAF Cup winners prize

Algeria turn to ‘retired’ goalkeeper after injuries deplete World Cup choices

NZ add Haiti friendly to World Cup warm-up schedule

FIFA invites Iran to headquarters for World Cup talks

Albrahim targets statement debut as PFL MENA heads to Dubai

Bencharki leads Al Ahly to 3-0 win over Zamalek in Cairo derby

Usyk backs Joshua to beat Fury ahead of heavyweight showdown

Saturday’s briefing: Leeds close on survival and Salah at peace