Al Ahly host Smouha as Cairo giants chase third straight Egyptian league win
In matchday three of the Egyptian Premier League, Al Ahly take on Smouha at Cairo International Stadium hoping to extend their perfect start; forward Sofiane Bendjeddah is available despite minor discomfort.
Match context
On Thursday, September 3, 2026, Cairo International Stadium hosts the third-round Egyptian Premier League clash between Al Ahly and Smouha SC. The hosts arrive with a perfect record, having beaten Eastern Company 3-2 in the opening round and ZED 2-0 in round two, with goals from Achraf Bencharki and Taher Mohamed Taher. A win would give Al Ahly a clean sweep of three victories from three matches. Smouha, by contrast, have made a difficult start, sitting 14th with just one point from two games and a recent goalless draw against Asyut Petroleum. According to VAVEL, Al Ahly have won the last four meetings between the two sides, including a 2-1 victory last April.
Squad news and injuries
Al Ahly coach Amouta named his squad for the match: goalkeepers Mohammed Shennawy, Mostafa Shobeir and Hamza Alaa; defenders Yassin Marai, Hadi Riyad, Yasser Ibrahim, Amr El Gazzar, Mohamed Hani and Ahmed Kouka; midfielders Ahmed Reda, Marwan Attia, Ali Mahmoud, Ahmed Sayed "Zizo" and Afsha; and forwards Taher Mohamed Taher, Sofiane Benjedida, Mounsef Bakar, Hussein El Shahat, Achraf Bencharki, Karim Fouad and Aktaï Abdullah. Youssef Belamri, Akram Tawfik and Karim El Debes are out through injury, while Emam Ashour remains unavailable due to lack of match fitness following his return from national-team duty. As reported by Youm7 (via YSscores), the coaching staff is considering handing Sofiane Benjdida a starting role as part of a rotation policy, which could see Algerian forward Mounsef Bakrar drop to the bench after starting the previous game. Separately, AfricaSoccer.com reports that Benjdida suffered mild discomfort during a friendly against Delphi but completed a rehabilitation session on Tuesday and is considered fit and available, though his place in the starting eleven has not been confirmed.
On the pitch
Smouha, playing in blue, kicked off the match and created an early warning sign with a fast counterattack, without seriously troubling the Al Ahly goal. Al Ahly gradually took control, with captain Mohamed Hani driving several attacking moves, though neither side had created a clear chance by the end of the opening quarter of an hour.
Broadcast
According to Voice of Emirates, kick-off was set for 8:00 PM Egypt/Saudi time (9:00 PM UAE time), with the match broadcast on ON Sport.
