Monday’s 2021-22 Egypt Cup final saw Al Ahly defeat Pyramids FC 2-1 to make The Red Devils champions of Egypt’s domestic cup for the 38th occasion. Hamdi Fathi headed in the winning goal for Ahly in extra time after second half goals from Ahly forward Kahraba and Pyramids midfielder Walid El Karti left the teams even through ninety minutes. Fathi’s match winner gives Ahly head coach Marcel Koller his second trophy in his first season at the club after Ahly won the Egyptian Super Cup against Zamalek earlier this season.
The 2021-22 edition of the Egypt Cup began in November 2021 but was completed on Monday after postponements caused the 2020-21 edition to be finished last season. Despite the circumstances the passion was there from both teams for a trophy with Pyramids still continuing to search for their first. The opening sixty minutes of the match passed without much action outside of a penalty kick awarded to Ahly for a handball that was overturned by the Video Assistant Referee.
Pyramids struck first in the 72nd minute when a free kick from Mohamed Chibi was lofted into the Ahly penalty area. Pyramids defender Ahmed Samy looped his header over goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy and off the crossbar where El Karti came in to nod the rebound past a scrambling El Shenawy. Al Ahly swiftly responded within two minutes after Yasser Ibrahim headed a Hussein El Shahat corner kick to the Pyramids six-yard box where Kahraba swung his leg and got enough of the ball to direct it into the goal.
Extra time was needed to separate the teams and Ahly were encouraged by their vocal support in the extra session. El Shahat created the crucial moment in the 105th minute when he lofted a pass from midfield into the Pyramids penalty area. Pyramids keeper Ahmed El Shenawy came out but could not reach the ball before Fathi who headed the ball over El Shenawy and into the empty net. Pyramids nearly responded five minutes later on a corner kick but after the ball found Ramadan Sobhi at the far post his volley made it past Mohamed El Shenawy but was chested off the goal line by El Shahat.
Extended highlights from the final are below.
