Al Ahly and Zamalek announce surprise line-ups for Egyptian Premier League summit

Al Ahly and Zamalek have both made unexpected selection decisions for Sunday's Egyptian Premier League meeting, with the two sides separated only by goal difference in the table. Al Ahly coach Hussein Ammouta has handed left-back Tawfik Mohamed his first starting appearance in the Egyptian Premier League.

Al Ahly are third with 13 points, level on goal difference with second-placed Zamalek. Tawfik Mohamed previously started Al Ahly's Egypt Capital Cup match against Petrol Asyut, which ended in a 5-0 victory for the Cairo club.

The Morocco coach has also selected new signing Achraf Bencharki in attack alongside Ahmed Sayed Zizo and Soufiane Benjedidah. Al Ahly's starting line-up is: Goalkeeper: Mostafa Shobeir Defenders: Mohamed Hany, Achraf Dari, Yassin Marei, Tawfik Mohamed Midfielders: Akram Tawfik, Marwan Attia, Emam Ashour Forwards: Ahmed Sayed Zizo, Achraf Bencharki, Soufiane Benjedidah Zamalek have also sprung a surprise in their team selection, with coach Moataz Gamal leaving all three of his recognised centre-forwards on the bench.

Nasser Mansi, Adi Al-Dabbah and Hossam Ashraf will not start, while Ahmed Sherif has been chosen as the side's central striker. Mahmoud Bentaieg returns at left-back, with Mahmoud El-Wensh and Mohamed Ismail forming the central defensive partnership.

Omar Gaber completes the back four. Zamalek's line-up is: Goalkeeper: Mehdi Soliman Defenders: Mahmoud Bentaieg, Mahmoud El-Wensh, Mohamed Ismail, Omar Gaber Midfielders: Mohamed Shehata, Ahmed Rabie, Ahmed Fattouh, Abdallah El Said Forwards: Chico Banza, Ahmed Sherif The match is the sixth-round meeting between the two Egyptian giants.

Both clubs published their confirmed teams on 11 October 2026, with Al Ahly posting the line-up on their official account and Zamalek releasing theirs shortly afterwards.