Zamalek’s star attacking midfielder, Ahmed Mostafa Sayed, popularly known as “Zizo,” has his sights set on making history once again as the TotalEnergies CAF Super Cup approaches.
Speaking ahead of the highly anticipated clash against their arch-rivals Al Ahly, Zizo emphasized that winning the trophy in such a fierce derby would make the triumph even more special.
The final, set for Friday, 27 September at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, promises to be an action-packed showdown between Egypt’s two footballing giants.
With a 21:00 local time (18:00 GMT) kick-off, Zamalek will be aiming to claim their fifth Super Cup title in the club’s illustrious history, their first since defeating Espérance de Tunis in 2020. Zizo played a key role in that victory and is eager to relive the experience.
In an exclusive interview with CAFonline.com, Zizo revealed the immense importance of the match and the challenge they face against the reigning TotalEnergies CAF Champions League winners, Al Ahly, who hold the record for the most Super Cup titles with eight.
For Zizo, the key to victory will be mental toughness and focus, particularly in such a high-stakes match between two clubs that share a long-standing rivalry in African football.
“Not only is this one of the most important trophies to win in Africa, but it involves two arch-rivals that have a rich history in African football,” Zizo explained. “We want to deliver a high-quality match that shines a spotlight on Egyptian football. Our coach José Gomes and his staff have been working hard to prepare us tactically, but it’s our mental strength that will make the difference on the day.”
Zamalek, who qualified for the Super Cup after lifting the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup, will also be counting on the support of their fans, many of whom will be present in Riyadh. Tickets for the final sold out in just 24 hours, with Egyptian and Saudi fans set to create a charged atmosphere at the award-winning Kingdom Arena. The 30,000-seater venue, which has already hosted major international events, will play host to what Zizo expects to be an unforgettable night of football.
“The atmosphere at the Kingdom Arena will be exceptional, with a strong presence of Egyptian and Saudi supporters,” Zizo said. “This will delight us as players and give us an added push. We know the enthusiasm of the fans will be immense, pushing us to give our best and make them proud.”
Reflecting on what it would mean to win the Super Cup, Zizo was clear about his ambitions: “As a player, my ambition is to win the TotalEnergies CAF Super Cup for the second time with the ‘White Knights.’ I already won this title in 2020, and it was one of the highlights of my career. I hope to relive that moment again, to further inscribe my name in the history of Zamalek.”
For Zizo and his teammates, this is not just a match—it’s an opportunity to solidify their legacy and give Zamalek supporters something to celebrate. The rivalry between Zamalek and Al Ahly has always added a unique flavor to these encounters, and for Zizo, defeating their longtime foes in such a prestigious final would make the victory even sweeter.
As the build-up to the final intensifies, Zizo had one final message for the Zamalek faithful: “I ask the fans to support us, whether in the stadium or in front of their screens. We need your energy and confidence at this time. Believe in us, and God willing, we will bring back this title for the fifth time in Zamalek’s history.”
Source: CAF Online
