On February 11, 2025, Al Ahly faced off against Ghazl El Mahalla at the Cairo International Stadium, becoming one of the pivotal matches of the Egyptian Premier League season. With the pressure on both teams, Al Ahly, the defending champions, aimed to solidify their position near the top of the table, whereas Ghazl El Mahalla sought to escape the perilous grasp of relegation.
Heading' to the match, Al Ahly stood second with 26 points after 12 games, securing 7 wins and 5 draws without any losses. Under the guidance of their coach, Marcel Koller, they were resolute about reclaiming the top position from Pyramids FC, who led the league with 27 points. "The players of Al Ahly are determined to win to reclaim the lead from Pyramids FC," reported by OnTime Sports.
Ghazl El Mahalla, on the other hand, faced significant challenges, sitting at the fifteenth position with only 11 points. They had recorded just 3 victories against 7 defeats, casting doubts over their survival prospects for the season. Their coach, Papa Vasilios, needed the team to capitalize on their most recent victory over Modern Sport to inspire them forward. According to Kora Plus, "Al Ahly continues its pursuit of the top spot against Ghazl El Mahalla, which hopes for positive results to bolster its position."
The historical rivalry between these two teams provided some excitement for the upcoming match, with Al Ahly enjoying the upper hand. Historically, they had won 55 out of the 91 matches they had played against Ghazl El Mahalla, with Ghazl managing only 11 victories and the teams drawing 22 times. The aggregate score of their previous encounters highlighted this dominance, with Al Ahly scoring 132 goals compared to Ghazl El Mahalla’s 55.
The lineup for Al Ahly was as follows: Mohammed El-Shenawy as the goalkeeper, with defenders Karim El-Dibees, Rami Rabeia, Mustafa El-Ash, and Mohammed Hani. Midfielders included Mowran Attia, Amr El-Sulya, and Mohammad Magdy Afsha. The attack was led by Hussein El-Shahat, Njeck Gradychar, and Imam Ashour. This formation reflects Koller’s strategic preference for offensive versatility.
Conversely, Ghazl El Mahalla boasted its own lineup featuring attackers Mohamed Ali Ben Hamouda and Abdo Yahya, striving to find goals against the pressure of Al Ahly’s would-be dominant defense. With their formation arranged similarly to 4-3-3, they looked to create opportunities through swift counter-attacks.
The expected atmosphere at the stadium promised to be electric, with fans eager to witness their teams contesting for what could be seen as more than just three points. Tensions were high not only for league positions but also for the pride of the clubs and their legacies.
This match was broadcasted live on OnTime Sports, the exclusive rights holder for the Egyptian Premier League, allowing fans at home to catch every moment as it unfolded.
Under the watchful eyes of the refereeing team led by Ahmed El-Ghandour, it promised to be another chapter written in the storied rivalry between these two teams with high stakes on the line. The outcomes of such matches can resonate beyond just points, impacting team morale and their respective fanbases.
With both teams aware of the significance of the match, the clash between Al Ahly and Ghazl El Mahalla could very well tilt the balance of their seasons, one striving for glory, the other battling against the shadows of relegation.