Medical tests for Zamalek’s Mahmoud Bentayj and Oday El-Dabbagh came back reassuring after the Pyramids FC match in the 2025 Egyptian Super Cup semi-final.
El-Dabbagh left the match in the first half due to a muscle injury, followed by Bentayj in the second half for the same reason. Zamalek ultimately won the match on penalties after a goalless draw in regulation time.
According to Egyptian media reports, the duo are suffering from minor muscle strains that are not serious and will not prevent them from playing against Al Ahly on Sunday in the Super Cup final.
Coach Ahmed Abdel Raouf intends to gradually reintegrate Bentayj and El-Dabbagh into Zamalek’s group training sessions to ensure their full recovery and readiness for the Cairo derby.
On the other hand, Juan Bezerra’s participation in the final remains uncertain, as the Brazilian player has not fully recovered from his recent hamstring injury.
Bezerra traveled with Zamalek to the UAE hoping to be fit for the final, and he is expected to undergo another test in the coming hours to determine his availability for the match against Al Ahly.
Bezerra’s absence created a clear attacking crisis for Zamalek against Pyramids, forcing Abdel Raouf to rely on Oday Dabbagh on the right wing, then Ahmed Sherif, and finally Saif Gaafar, all of whom failed to provide even half the contribution the Brazilian offers.
There are some suggestions that the player should be given painkillers to enable him to play in the derby, but there are concerns that this could aggravate the injury and consequently prolong his absence from the pitch.
