The Egypt Cup final will be on 21 September, the Egyptian Football Association said on Sunday.

"The EFA's competitions committee have decided to finish the cup early, after coordination's with the Egyptian national team coach Hector Cuper," committee head Amer Hussein was quoted as saying on Ahram Sports website on Sunday.

The semifinals will be held on 16 and 17 September, ten days earlier than previously scheduled.

Argentinean manager Cuper has demanded the association allow him hold a training camp for the Pharaohs ahead of their clash with Chad on 6 September as part of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Despite being record-holders with seven Africa Cup of Nations titles, Egypt have failed to qualify for the finals since 2010 when they clinched their third successive trophy under the leadership of the team's most successful coach, Hassan Shehata.

Egyptian Premier League champions Zamalek have won the last two successive Egypt Cups. ENPPI won in 2011 while Haras El-Hodood clinched the trophy in both 2009 and 2010.

Ahly, the record-holders in the league with 35 cup titles, 12 more than rivals Zamalek, will be bidding for their first win since 2007. A cup would also console fans after the team failed to secure a ninth-successive league win, losing to Zamalek.

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