Egypt's top football derby delayed one more day

Ahmed Abd El Rasoul , Saturday 28 Jan 2012

The much anticipated match between rivals Ahly and Zamalek is postponed again for security reasons

Ahly
Al-Ahly's Mohammed Abu Treka (C) is caught between Al Zamalek's Omar Gaber (R) and Ibrahim Salah (L) during their Egypt Premier League soccer match in Cairo, December 30, 2010. (Photo: Reuters)

The Cairo derby between Ahly and Zamalek is delayed for one more day to 8 February by request of the Egyptian security authorities, the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) announced on Saturday.

The first Cairo derby of the season was due to take place on 29 January but it was rescheduled to 7 February because the 16th round of the Egyptian Premier League had also been moved forward at the request of the interior ministry.

The ministry requested the first postponement because it would have been busy safeguarding "the state's facilities on the first anniversary of the January 25 Revolution on Wednesday," as well as the first session of the People's Assembly (lower house of parliament).

EFA revealed that security authorities asked for this most recent postponement so they could handle security demands during Shura Council (upper house) elections.

The bitter rivals, Ahly and Zamalek, played out a thrilling 2-2 draw at Cairo Stadium the last time they met back in June.

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