Percy Tau helps Al Ahly win record 38th Egypt Cup against Pyramids FC

Al Ahly have clinched their 38th Egypt Cup after coming from behind to beat Pyramids FC in extra-time on Monday.

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The Reds had to overcome Al Masry Sallum, Misr El-Makkasa, Arab Contractors and Smouha to secure a spot in the Egypt Cup final for the 54th time.

Meanwhile, Pyramids FC were looking for their first-ever trophy in their second-ever final appearance after beating La Viena, Ceramica Cleopatra, Bank Al Ahly and Zamalek.

Three months after the semi-finals were played, the final was played at the Cairo International Stadium due to both clubs’ involvement in continental competitions.

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According to thee KingFut website, the match started slowly from both sides, with both Hussein El-Shahat and Abdallah El-Said firing wide in the opening 15 minutes.

Al Ahly were forced to substitute Rami Rabia in the 23rd minute after the defender fell on his elbow following an aerial challenge with Ramadan Sobhi.

Ali Maaloul had a chance to fire Al Ahly into the lead from a set piece, but his free-kick went wide over Ahmed El-Shenawy’s bar.

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In the 37th minute, referee Amin Omar awarded Al Ahly a penalty following a handball by Osama Galal.

However, after reviewing the VAR, he overturned his initial decision.

Al Ahly held on for nervy last few minutes

The first real chance of the game came in the 42nd minute when Ali Maaloul found space down the left, before squaring the ball to Kahraba whose effort went wide from close range.

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With just a few seconds left before the half-time whistle, Abdallah El-Said was forced off due to an injury after a challenge from Marwan Ateya and was replaced by Islam Eissa.

The start of the second half was similar to the first and saw injuries from both sides in the opening two minutes as Amr El-Sulya was brought off for Afsha, and Osama Galal for Karim Hafez.

The deadlock was finally broken after Walid El-Karti put Pyramids ahead in the 72nd minute after following up on Ahmed Samy’s header which rebounded off the post.

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However, the lead lasted only two minutes as Hussein El-Shahat’s corner was turned in by Yasser Ibrahim’s header, which was then tapped in by Kahraba from close range to make it 1-1.

A few minutes later, Pyramids had a golden opportunity to score again, but miraculously Ali Maaloul and Hamdi Fathi managed to clear the ball off the line on three occasions.

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The game went into extra-time and just before the referee blew his half-time break, Hussein El-Shahat played an inch-perfect cross to Hamdi Fathi, who took advantage of a howler from Ahmed El-Shennawy and headed into the back of the net in the 106th minute.

In the 110th minute, Ramadan Sobhi thought he scored the equaliser after he beat El-Shennawy from a corner, but Hussein El-Shahat once again cleared the ball off the line.

Six minutes later, Mohamed Abdelmonem was sent off after a VAR review after he punched Fakhereedine Ben Youssef in the face off the ball.

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Despite playing over five minutes with 10 men, Al Ahly managed to hold on and sealed the win in the final nervy minutes.

The Egypt Cup win was Al Ahly’s 38th in their history and their first since 2020 when they beat El-Gaish on penalties.

Meanwhile, Pyramids’ search for their first-ever trophy continues after losing the 2019 Egypt Cup final to Zamalek and the 2020 CAF Confederation Cup final to RS Berkane.

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TEAMS:

Al Ahly

Mohamed El-Shennawy, Ali Maaloul, Mohamed Abdelmonem, Rami Rabia, Mohamed Hany, Hamdi Fathi, Marwan Ateya, Amr El-Sulya, Percy Tau, Hussein El-Shahat, Mahmoud Kahraba

Pyramids FC

Ahmed El-Shennawy, Mohamed Hamdi, Ahmed Samy, Osama Galal, Mohamed Chibi, Ahmed Tawfik, Bilati Toure, Walid El-Karti, Abdallah El-Said, Ramadan Sobhi, Ibrahim Adel