Taher brace set up Cairo derby in Egypt Super final

Al Ahly secured their place in the Egyptian Super Cup final after a victory over Ceramica Cleopatra in the semi-final.

Ceramica Cleopatra was unable to overcome the defending champions, despite a debut goal from South African striker Fagrie Lakay just before halftime.

As a result, Al Ahly will now proceed to the final, where they will face their Cairo rivals, Zamalek.

Ahly XI: Mostafa Shobeir; Omar Kamal, Rami Rabia, Yasser Ibrahim, Yahia Attiat Allah; Karim Walid, Akram Tawfik, Percy Tau, Mohamed Magdy ‘Afsha’; Emam Ashour, Taher Mohamed

Ceramica Cleopatra XI: Mohamed Bassam; Ragab Nabil, Ahmed Ramadan, Abdel-Rahman Boody, Abdallah Magdy; Mohamed Adel, Ahmed Belhadj, Ahmed Kendouci, Mahmoud Zalaka, Islam Eissa; Fagrie Lakay

Al Ahly wasted no time, taking the lead just 11 seconds into the match. Taher Mohamed capitalized on a defensive mistake, heading the ball over Ceramica Cleopatra goalkeeper Mohamed Bassam. Emam Ashour nearly doubled the lead but his shot hit the crossbar.

Ceramica Cleopatra slowly started to grow into the game, with Ahmed Kendouci and Mahmoud Zalaka both testing Mostafa Shobeir. Fagrie Lakay later equalized in the dying moments of the first half, slotting the ball after an assist from Zalaka.

The second half saw Al Ahly regain control, with Taher Mohamed restoring the lead in the 54th minute.

Despite late pressure from Ceramica Cleopatra, The Red Devils held on to secure the 2-1 win and their place in the final.

Ceramica Cleopatra will now face Pyramids FC in the third-place playoff, while Al Ahly will gear up for the final against Zamalek on Thursday.

It will be just under a month since they last faced off in yet another final, the CAF Super Cup.