The new cup is an addition to the country’s lineup of domestic tournaments, which includes the Egyptian Premier League, the Egypt Cup, and Egyptian Super Cup.

The group stage games of the new cup will be played from 12 January until the end of the month, overlapping with the AFCON 2021, which will run from 6 January to 6 February.

The teams will be divided into three groups, six teams each, with every team set to play five games in the group stage.

The top team and the first runner-up from each group will advance to the new cup’s semifinals, which will be played during the coming international break in June.

The teams will be taking part in the new tournament without the services of their international players, who will be on duty with their national teams in the AFCON 2021.

“The tournament will not start on 6 January as previous scheduled in order to allow the participants some time to rest and to accommodate Ahly’s participation in the FIFA Club World Cup,” said Amr Hussein, the head of the EFA's Competitions’ Committee.

“We wanted to kick off the tournament a few days after the AFCON 2021. The tournament’s games have also been scheduled in a way that prevents overlap with the games of the continental tournament,” he added.

Egyptian Premier League title holders Zamalek were drawn in Group C alongside Pharco FC, Ceramica Cleopatra, Ghazl El Mahalla, Talae El Gaish and Enppi.

Meanwhile, their archrivals Ahly were drawn in Group B alongside Ismaily, Smouha, Arab Contractors, NBE Club and Gouna.

The winner of the EFA Cup title will be awarded EGP 1.5 million, while the runner-up will receive EGP 1 million, and the team in third place will be given EGP 500,000. Furthermore, every team will receive EGP 100,000 simply for participating in the tournament.

EFA Cup full draw:

Group A

Future FC
Eastern Company
Masry
Maqassa
Ittihad of Alexandria
Pyramids FC

Group B

Ismaily
Smouha
Arab Contractors
NBE Club
Gouna
Ahly

Group C

Pharco FC
Ceramica Cleopatra
Ghazl El Mahalla
Talae El Gaish
Enppi
Zamalek

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