Zamalek exited the 2026 Egyptian Cup in the Round of 16 after a 2-1 defeat to Ceramica Cleopatra at the Suez Canal Authority Stadium.
Ceramica took the lead with an own goal by Hossam Abdel-Maguid, before Mohamed Ismail equalized in the final moments of the first half.
In the second half, Seddik Ogoula missed a penalty for Ceramica, before Ahmed Belhadj scored the winning goal for Ali Maher’s team with a superb strike from the edge of the penalty area.
Thus, Zamalek lost the title they won last season against Pyramids FC on penalties.
Zamalek had reached the quarterfinals of the CAF Confederation Cup and currently sit second in the Egyptian Premier League, and now their hopes of retaining the Egyptian Cup have been dashed.
Ceramica Cleopatra is scheduled to face Tala’ea El-Gaish in the quarterfinals.
It’s worth noting that Al Ahly also exited the Egypt Cup early after a surprise defeat to Telecom Egypt in the round of 32.
