Zamalek’s Super exit reflects poor season

CAIRO: Abu Dhabi has been looking forward to hosting the Egyptian Super Cup on May 5 for some time. It is not just about the occasion between the champions Zamalek and cup holders Al-Ahly but the rivalry between these Cairo giants is one of the biggest and fiercest in the world and the same can be said about games between the two. 

Last October, Al-Ahly defeated Zamalek 2-0 yet this year’s match is not going to happen as, on Tuesday, Zamalek announced they were withdrawing due to various grievances against the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) especially the issue related to Al-Ahly star Mahmoud Kahraba. The striker was suspended for 12 games by the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) in April for allegedly making obscene chants against Zamalek in a game between the two rivals in January. After an appeal by Al-Ahly, he was cleared to play in the Super Cup until a court meets later this month. “The matter has to do with a player who insulted millions of Zamalek fans and directed obscene words at them," a statement released by Zamalek said. 

Zamalek president Mortada Mansour had talked earlier in the week of refusing to play. “I apologize to fans who had booked tickets for the Super Cup, Zamalek are willing to play a friendly match against the UAE Pro League champions on the same date If invited,” Mansour said. If the issue can't be resolved quickly, the EFA, will send a replacement to the United Arab Emirates in the form of Future or Pyramids, the teams currently in second and third in the Egyptian Premier League.

Mansour is a controversial figure and no stranger to headlines, such as when he was sentenced to a month in prison in February for insulting his Al-Ahly counterpart. A cynic may say that his latest