By Captain Rida Saika – The GCC Sport

Zamalek look the clear favorites to seal the Egyptian Premier League title as they host Ceramica Cleopatra on Wednesday at Cairo International Stadium, in the seventh and final round of the title‑deciding stage. In this dramatic chapter, the White Knights need just one point to clinch the league, and lift their 15th title in history, the first since 2022.

Zamalek under pressure and optimism

Zamalek sit top of the table on 53 points, two ahead of Pyramids and three ahead of Al Ahly. By winning both direct encounters against Pyramids this season 1–0, they hold the head‑to‑head advantage—an extra cushion in case of a draw or an unfavorable result for their rivals. Yet this season has been far from easy. The club suffered a transfer ban during the winter window due to outstanding payments owed to former and current players and coaches, shaking its administrative and sporting stability.

To add to the strain, their loss of the CAF Confederation Cup title to Algeria’s USM Al Ahly on penalties in the final—after a 1–1 draw over two legs—was a painful shock for fans and management alike. The missed 4‑million‑dollar prize money that would have helped settle 17 outstanding claims loomed large. Zamalek now face Ceramica Cleopatra with several key absences: goalkeeper Mahmoud El‑Sennary and full‑backs Mohamed Ismail and Ahmed Fathy are out injured, while Omar Gaber’s participation is doubtful for the same reason.

Moataz Gamal and the Egyptian dream

Moataz Gamal, Zamalek’s third coach this season, carries a historic mission: he wants to become the first Egyptian manager to win the league with the White Knights since Essam Bahig in 1987–88. Gamal relies on local experience and team spirit amid the pressure of these decisive matches. If Zamalek secure the title, this campaign will be etched in blue‑ink on the club’s history pages.

Pyramids: chasing the first crown

Pyramids, sitting second on 51 points, are playing on a tightrope. They need to beat Smouha at Al Defaa El Jawi Stadium while hoping Zamalek drop points, so they can reach 54 points and claim their first league title since founding the club in 2008. In that scenario, Pyramids would also complete a historic double by adding the Egypt Cup to their cabinet, after defeating ZED in last week’s final.

After several lean seasons despite heavy spending since the club rebranded from Asyoty Sport in 2019, Pyramids have finally lifted five trophies in the last three campaigns under Croatian coach Krunoslav Jurčić: two Egypt Cups, the CAF Champions League, the CAF Super Cup, and the “FIFA Africa, Asia & Pacific Cup.” Yet the league title remains out of reach, and Jurčić’s final dream is to finally win it.

Al Ahly: waiting for a miracle

In contrast, Al Ahly, the reigning champions for the last three seasons, are clinging to a near‑miraculous scenario: they must beat Al Masry at Borg El Arab Stadium while Zamalek lose and Pyramids falter, to reach 53 points and draw level with their arch‑rival. Then the title would be decided by head‑to‑head, where Al Ahly won 2–1 home and 3–0 away. That would push their total titles to a record 46, even though this has been a deeply disappointing season by their standards.

Despite a high‑profile transfer window that brought in Ahmed Sayed “Zizo” from Zamalek, Tunisian Mohamed Ali Ben Ramadan from Ferencváros of Hungary, and the return of Mahmoud “Trézéguet” from Trabzonspor, Al Ahly managed only one trophy: the Egyptian Super Cup. They were eliminated from the CAF Champions League in the quarter‑finals, exited the Egypt Cup in the first round, and slipped to third in the league. An angry, large fanbase is urging change.

With the miracle hard to envision, Al Ahly must still face Al Masry in a tense match, with doubts over the fitness of goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir, midfielder Emam Ashour, and defender Ahmed Ramadan, all carrying injuries picked up in the previous round.

The relegation battle: five teams on the edge

In the fight to avoid relegation, five clubs are still battling for the last two safe spots, trying to avoid joining Ismaily and Pharco in the second division. These teams are Ghazl El Mahalla (34 points), Al Mokawloon (34), Al Ittihad (32), El Ismaily Electricity (30), and Police Union (26). Meanwhile, the trio of Al Kanah, Petrol Asyout, and Abu Qir Fertilizers have already secured promotion to the Premier League next season.