File photo of an Egyptian Premier League game between Ahly and Zamalek (Ahram)
The Egyptian Football Association has revealed that the prizes of the anticipated Egypt Super Cup match between Ahly and Zamalek will be raised, with the winner getting AED 500,000 (approximately EGP 2 million) instead of AED 350,000 (EGP 1.5 million).
The UAE will host on 20 February the Egyptian Super Cup match between the Reds, the Egyptian Premier League champions, and their arch rivals the White Knights, who are the Egypt cup holders. It will be the fourth time that the gulf country will be hosting the Egypt Super Cup match.
"The previous prizes were AED 300,000 (EGP 1.2 million) for the winner and AED 150,000 (EGP 647,133) for the loser. But now, the winner will get AED 500,000 (EGP 2 million) and the loser AED 300,000 (EGP 1.29 million)," said the EFA's normalising committee member Mohamed Fadl during a press conference on Wednesday.
Fadl also revealed during the presser why the EFA chose 20 February to be the date of the Super Cup, saying, "We settled on holding the Super Cup match on 20 February because it is a distinct date."
The game will be held at Mohamed Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
"We chose Mohamed Bin Zayed Stadium after a visit from the EFA, because it was built with high standards, in addition to its capacity of 37,000 spectators," Fadl added.
The EFA announced earlier that the arbitration crew will use the VAR technology during their mission in officiating Egypt's Super Cup game. This will be the first time ever the VAR will be used between two Egyptian teams.
This is the fourth time the UAE is hosting Egypt's Super Cup, having organised the event in 2015, 2016 and 2017.
In the summer of 2015, Ahly defeated perennial rivals Zamalek 3-2 in an exciting game at Al-Ain's Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium. In 2016, Zamalek defeated Ahly 3-1 after penalty kicks following a goalless draw at Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium.
In the winter of 2018, Ahly defeated Masry 1-0 at Al Ain's Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium.
Ahly are the record holders of the Super Cup with 11 titles. Zamalek have won it three times.
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