Gamal Hamza warns Zamalek about Al Ahly threat ahead of derby

Gamal Hamza has warned Zamalek about a dangerous weapon Al Ahly could bring to the derby: conceding an early goal could affect the players’ morale. The former player also assessed both teams’ preparations and outlined what he sees as key tactical factors.

Hamza believes neither Zamalek nor Al Ahly has reached its best level, technically or physically. He nevertheless considers the international break beneficial to Zamalek, which began preparing late. “There is no reason for either camp to feel reassured: neither team has reached its best technical and physical level,” he said, adding that the pause had favoured Zamalek because of its late start.

His warning also concerns how the match begins. Hamza believes an early goal could affect Zamalek’s players psychologically. By contrast, he sees a goalless score at half-time as favourable to the club, which could then pursue victory in the second half. “I warn Zamalek against conceding early against Al Ahly, because it will affect the players. If Zamalek can reach half-time with the score goalless, that will be favourable to Zamalek,” he stressed.

In attack, Hamza recommends targeting the spaces in Al Ahly’s defence. He believes Zamalek has players capable of creating danger with their speed and accurate passing. “Zamalek must work on the spaces in Al Ahly’s defensive line,” he said, pointing to Chico Banza’s pace, Adi and Hossam Ashraf’s ability to receive the ball under pressure, and Abdullah El Said’s precise passing.

Hamza also said the late arrival of three professional players at Zamalek’s camp would not be harmful, particularly given the shortage of available substitutes. He said the club would certainly not punish them under those circumstances.

Past derbies remain vivid for the former player. Hamza said he scored eight goals for Zamalek and recalled watching the goals scored before matches against Al Ahly as a child, hoping to help even up the tally. He also brought up the 1-0 win in 2003: the goal followed a pass from Hazem Emam and Tarek El Sayed, before Hamza won the ball and scored.