Al Ahly began the Egypt Capital Cup, also known as the League Cup, with a convincing 5-0 victory over Petrojet on Wednesday, while Zamalek were beaten 3-0 by ZED just days before the two Cairo clubs meet in the Egyptian Premier League.
Zamalek will host Al Ahly at Cairo International Stadium next Sunday in the sixth round of the first phase of the 2026-2027 Egyptian Premier League season.
Al Ahly’s victory came at Al Salam Stadium, where they scored twice before half-time and added three more goals after the interval. Mohamed Magdy Afsha opened the scoring in the second minute, before Sufyan Ben Jedida doubled their advantage in the 33rd minute.
Hussein El Shahat then struck twice in the space of two minutes, scoring in the 58th and 60th minutes. Omar Sayed Moawad completed the scoring in the 79th minute.
The result gave Al Ahly their first three points at the top of Group C, while Petrojet remain without a point.
Al Ahly fielded a side made up largely of substitutes, alongside several first-team players. Hamza Alaa started in goal, with Tawfik Mohamed, Yassin Marei, Achraf Dari, Ahmed Eid, Ali Mahmoud, Ahmed Reda, Afsha, El Shahat, Taher Mohamed Taha and Ben Jedida also selected.
Zamalek, meanwhile, were comfortably beaten by ZED at Arab Contractors Stadium.
Zamalek’s general coach Ibrahim Salah took charge of a team made up mainly of young players. Seif Farouk Gaafar also featured after being left out of training for an extended period.
Mahmoud El Shenawy played in goal for Zamalek, with Ezzat Mohamed, Ahmed Hossam, Khaled El Sayed, Mohamed Farag, El Sayed Osama, Ziad Medhat, Ahmed Safwat, Hossam Ashour El-Taqi, Seif Gaafar and Adham Haseeb completing the line-up.
ZED took the lead through Marwan Hagag in the 40th minute. Ahmed Atef then scored twice in quick succession, finding the net in the 54th and 55th minutes to secure a 3-0 win.
The victory lifted ZED to the top of Group A with three points, while Zamalek sit bottom without a point.
The results provide contrasting preparations for the Cairo derby, with Al Ahly carrying momentum into Sunday’s league fixture and Zamalek needing to respond after a heavy defeat.