Latest news with #Ahly
Al-Ahram Weekly
3 days ago
- Sport
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Ahly vs Zamalek in Egyptian League Cairo derby set for 29 September - Egyptian Football
The Egyptian Pro League (EPL) announced late on Sunday that the Cairo derby between Ahly and Zamalek, scheduled for the 9th matchday of the 2025–2026 Egyptian Premier League season, will take place on 29 September at Cairo International Stadium. The EPL draw, held on Sunday, also revealed the season's opening fixtures. Defending champions Ahly will begin their campaign against Modern Sport, while their fierce rivals Zamalek will face Ceramica Cleopatra. The 2025–2026 season kicks off on 8 August and will feature 21 teams competing in a two-phase format. According to the EPL statement, Ahly will meet runners-up Pyramids FC on the 5th matchday, scheduled for 30 August. In the first phase, each team will play 20 matches in a single round-robin format. The top seven teams will then advance to a title-deciding championship group, while the remaining 14 clubs will battle to avoid relegation in a separate group. Zamalek will face Pyramids FC on 1 March 2026, at the Air Defence Stadium. At the conclusion of the second phase, four teams from the lower group will be relegated. Final rankings in both groups will take into account the points accumulated in the first phase as well as results from direct encounters within each group. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.) Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Al-Ahram Weekly
3 days ago
- Sport
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Ahly start Egyptian League campaign against Modern Sport, Zamalek face Ceramica - Egyptian Football
Ahly have been drawn to face Modern Sport in the first matchday of the 2025–2026 Egyptian Premier League, while arch-rivals Zamalek kick off their campaign against Ceramica Cleopatra. The 2025–2026 Egyptian Premier League draw, held on Sunday, revealed that the highly anticipated Cairo Derby between Ahly and Zamalek has been scheduled for matchweek nine, according to the fixture list released by the Egyptian Pro League. The new season kicks off on 8 August and will feature 21 clubs competing in a two-phase format. In the first phase, each team will play 20 matches in a single round-robin format. The top seven teams will then advance to a title-deciding group, while the remaining 14 will fight to avoid relegation in a separate group. Among other key clashes, Ahly will face Pyramids in matchweek five, and Zamalek are set to meet Pyramids in week 20. Opening fixtures and new regulations In other opening fixtures, Wadi Degla will take on Pyramids at Al Salam Stadium, Ismaily hosts Petrojet, and Smouha plays Tala'ea El Gaish at Borg El Arab Stadium. National Bank will face Ghazl El Mahalla, while Pharco clashes with ENPPI. League president Ahmed Diab stated that changes were made to the competition's regulations this season, with the second-phase draw to be held 10 days before its commencement. "This year's format aims to increase competitiveness and accommodate the national team's schedule," Diab told reporters. Four teams will be relegated at the end of the second phase from the lower group. Rankings in the final phase will take into account points from the first stage and direct competition within each group. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.) Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Al-Ahram Weekly
4 days ago
- Sport
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Ahly's Palestinian striker Wessam Abou Ali joins MLS side Columbus Crew
Egyptian Premier League giants Ahly have confirmed on Saturday the transfer of Palestinian forward Wessam Abou Ali to Major League Soccer (MLS) club Columbus Crew. "Ahly have agreed to sell Wessam Abou Ali to American team, Colombus Crew, after intense negociations over the past period," the Cairo giants said in a short statement without giving further details. After protracted negotiations, Ahly agreed to sell the 26-year-old striker to the American side, ending a tense standoff between the player and the club. Colombus Crew announced the signing of Abou Ali "for an undisclosed fee" on a two-year deal until 2027 with a club option for 2028. Reports suggest the deal is worth $7.5 million, with an additional $2 million in bonuses and a 15% sell-on clause. Abou Ali concluded his stint with Ahly at the FIFA Club World Cup, where he scored a hat-trick in a thrilling 4-4 draw against FC Porto. Following the tournament, the forward expressed his desire to leave the Reds, urging management to accept his departure. The player was reportedly linked with several Gulf clubs, including Qatar's Al-Rayyan and UAE's Al-Wasl, as well as U.S. MLS sides New York Red Bulls and Columbus Crew. Ahly initially set a $10 million price tag for Abou Ali and repeatedly stated that the striker was not for sale. However, tensions escalated when the player skipped training citing injury and subsequently faced financial sanctions for missing pre-season preparations. Thereafter, the Palestinian striker was left out of the squad traveling to Tunisia for a pre-season camp ahead of the new season. The situation sparked a wave of fan backlash on social media criticizing the player's conduct. In an unusual intervention, the Palestinian Football Association (PFA) issued a statement urging Ahly to protect Abou Ali and facilitate the transfer in line with his wishes. Later on the player issued an apology statement that was published on Ahly's social media accounts for his misconduct. Since joining Ahly in January 2024, Abou Ali had quickly established himself as a prolific striker, netting 18 goals in 19 appearances during half a season to claim the Egyptian Premier League Golden Boot in his debut campaign. Although injuries hampered his latest season, he netted 10 goals in 16 league matches, finishing second in Ahly's scoring charts behind Emam Ashour. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.) Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Al-Ahram Weekly
23-07-2025
- Sport
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Ceramica Cleopatra sign veteran midfielder Amr El-Sulaya after decorated Ahly spell - Egyptian Football
Egyptian Premier League side Ceramica Cleopatra have signed veteran midfielder Amr El-Sulaya on a free transfer, the club announced Wednesday, following the expiration of his contract with Ahly. The 35-year-old joins Ceramica after nearly a decade with the Cairo giants, where he won 24 major titles and became one of the most decorated players in club history. El-Sulaya arrived at Ahly in January 2016 from UAE club Al-Shaab and went on to make 342 appearances, scoring 34 goals and providing 29 assists. Renowned for his composure and big-game performances, he played a central role in Ahly's dominant era. During his nine-and-a-half-year tenure, El-Sulaya won seven Egyptian Premier League titles, four Egypt Cups, five Egyptian Super Cups, four CAF Champions League trophies, two CAF Super Cups, three FIFA Club World Cup bronze medals, and the FIFA African–Asian–Pacific Cup. He is the only player in Ahly history to score in three separate CAF Champions League finals — against Espérance (2018), Zamalek (2020), and Kaizer Chiefs (2021). Ahly paid tribute to El-Sulaya in May, calling him 'one of the most loyal and committed players in the club's history,' and said he may return in a future technical or administrative role. The club also announced plans to honour him in a special ceremony. For Ceramica, the signing brings leadership and top-level experience to the squad. At the same time, El-Sulaya begins a new chapter looking to leave his mark at a rising Premier League side. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.) Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Al-Ahram Weekly
23-07-2025
- Sport
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Ahly sign Mostafa El-Esh permanently after standout loan from ZED - Egyptian Football
Egyptian Premier League champions Ahly have completed the permanent signing of defender Mostafa El-Esh from ZED FC, the clubs announced Wednesday, following a strong six-month loan spell that included appearances at the FIFA Club World Cup. The 24-year-old centre-back, who can also cover at left-back, joined Ahly in January and featured in 13 matches across all competitions, impressing in domestic and international fixtures. Ahly triggered a buyout clause reportedly worth EGP 50 million. The deal also included additional player movements—most notably the permanent transfer of Khaled Abdel-Fattah and the loan of Ahmed Reda to ZED—bringing the total package to nearly EGP 75 million, according to local reports. El-Esh has signed a four-year contract that runs through June 2029. He was part of Ahly's squad at the 2024 Club World Cup and contributed to the club's successful defence of the Egyptian league title last season. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.) Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
