With Al Ahly set to play in the CAF Super Cup on Friday night, it is now said their opponents Zamalek are desperately trying to figure out a way to stop Percy Tau.
Winners of the 2023/24 CAF Champions League Al Ahly will take on their arch-rivals Zamalek in the CAF Super Cup on Friday night after the latter were crowned champions of the 2023/24 CAF Confederation Cup.
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Tau will be aiming for his third Super Cup title after he previously won it with Mamelodi Sundowns in 2016/17 and with Al Ahly in 21/22.
A lot of anticipation surrounds the fixture given the two clubs' longstanding rivalry, with the match set to take place at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
With the battle lines already drawn, Egyptian media figure Medhat Shalaby has claimed that Zamalek are preparing ways to stop South Africa's most decorated star on the continent, Tau.
Shalaby said during an interview on Egyptian TV show Ya Masaa Al Anwar: "Zamalek coach Jose Gomes held an important training session on Wednesday that lasted for about two hours.
"The training session began with a lecture in which Gomes explained all the details related to the Al Ahly match.
"After the lecture, they watch video clips of Al Ahly's recent matches in the Champions League.
"Gomes is looking by all means to stop Al Ahly winger Percy Tau, and it is expected that Tau will participate on the right side, and there is fear that Zamalek's new signing Mohamed Hamdy may participate in the left-back position, due to his lack of experience and the importance of the match.
"Gomes spoke with his assistants about how to stop Percy Tau, whether Omar Gaber will participate in the left-back position, and Mohamed Shehata will participate in the right-back position."
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Although Tau has won the trophy twice before, his last appearance in the Super Cup ended in defeat, with USM Alger winning the match 1-0 last year.
If Ahly win the clash, the 30-year-old Bafana Bafana star will have claimed his 11th trophy since joining the Red Devils.