Zamalek and Pyramids meet at Cairo International Stadium on Thursday evening in a decisive clash for the Egyptian Premier League title, with Zamalek leading the championship group by two points and Pyramids facing the match without suspended striker Marwan Hamdi.
The game kicks off at 8:00 p.m. local time and will be broadcast exclusively on ON Sport 1 HD with commentary by Bilal Mark, available free via the network’s official app or satellite feed. Zamalek’s head coach, Mohamed Gamal, confirmed the starting lineup, which sees Mahmoud Hamdi El Wensh return to defense in place of Mahmoud Badr El Din, while the attacking trio of Juan Bicera, Nasser Mansi, and Adi Dagbag leads the front line.
Pyramids, meanwhile, will field Ahmed El Shenawy in goal, with a defensive line comprising Mohamed El Shebi, Osama Galal, Ahmed Sami, and Mohamed Hamid Ibrahim. Midfield engineer Mohamed Lasheen partners with Nasser Maher and Mustafa Zico, while Fiston Mayele leads the attack. Marwan Hamdi, who received his third yellow card of the season in the buildup to this match, sits among the substitutes and will miss the upcoming fixture against Al Ahly due to suspension.
The historical record favors Zamalek, which has won 15 of the 25 previous meetings between the sides, compared to just four for Pyramids, with six draws. Both Zamalek and Pyramids enter the match level on points with Al Ahly at the top of the table, though Zamalek holds the edge via superior goal difference in the championship playoff stage.
The absence of Marwan Hamdi removes a key outlet for Pyramids’ counterattacks, particularly his ability to stretch defenses and link midfield to attack. His suspension stems from accumulating warnings, reflecting a disciplinary pattern that has now cost the team in a pivotal moment.
For Zamalek, the return of El Wensh adds experience and aerial strength to a back line that has conceded fewer than half a goal per game in the championship group. The midfield trio of Ismail, Shikabala, and El Said provides balance, combining creativity with defensive cover to support the front three.
ON Sport’s exclusive broadcasting rights, secured across the Middle East and North Africa, ensure the match reaches regional audiences without subscription barriers, a move intended to boost accessibility during the league’s decisive stage.
Why is Marwan Hamdi suspended for the next match?
Marwan Hamdi received his third yellow card of the season in the buildup to the Zamalek match, triggering an automatic one-match ban under Egyptian league rules, which means he will miss Pyramids’ upcoming game against Al Ahly.
How can viewers watch the Zamalek vs. Pyramids match for free?
The match is available live on ON Sport 1 HD and via the network’s official app at no cost, with commentary by Bilal Mark, as part of the channel’s exclusive rights to broadcast the Egyptian Premier League in the Middle East and North Africa.
