CAIRO — The first round of the 2025–2026 Egypt Capital Cup group stage—now in its fifth edition—kicked off during the international break for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.
The group stage will run until January 17, 2026, featuring 21 teams split into three groups of seven, with the spotlight on Al-Ahly, Zamalek, and Pyramids FC.
The opening round produced mixed results: Zamalek was held to a draw by Ismailia Electricity, while NBE Club stunned Pyramids FC with a win. Elsewhere, Pharco FC, Talae El-Geish, ZED FC, and El-Gouna all secured victories to start their campaigns on a high note.
Al-Masry 0-0 Al-Ittihad
Al-Masry and Al-Ittihad of Alexandria played out a goalless draw at the New Suez Stadium in the opening round of Group C.
The encounter saw a balanced battle between the two sides, with Al-Masry creating several promising opportunities. However, Al-Ittihad’s goalkeeper, Mahmoud Abdel Rahim Genesh, produced a series of outstanding saves to keep his team in the game, ensuring the scoreboard remained unchanged.
El-Geish 2–0 Ceramica
Talae El-Geish opened their Egypt Capital Cup campaign with a solid 2–0 victory over Ceramica Cleopatra at the Military Sports Authority Stadium in Group A.
Midfielder Islam Mohareb broke the deadlock in the 43rd minute with a composed finish, before defender Ahmed Alaa sealed the win in stoppage time. The result hands El-Geish their first three points, while Ceramica remains without a tally.
ZED 1–0 Smouha
ZED FC clinched a late 1–0 win over Smouha at Al-Salam Stadium in their Group C opener.
Left-winger Abdelrahman El-Banouby struck the decisive goal in the 88th minute, capitalising on defensive confusion to tap home into an unguarded net and secure a valuable victory for ZED.
El-Gouna 3–1 Ismaily
El-Gouna came from behind to claim a commanding 3–1 win over Ismaily at Ismailia Stadium in Group Two.
A late own goal by defender Mohamed Ammar gave El-Gouna the lead in the 87th minute, but Ismaily hit back as centre-back player Abdelkarim Mostafa levelled from the spot in the 69th minute.
Defender Saber El-Shimy restored El-Gouna’s advantage with a powerful header in the 78th minute, before striker Mohamed El-Nahas converted a stoppage-time penalty to wrap up the three points for the coastal side.
Zamalek 3–3 Kahraba
Zamalek and Kahraba Ismailia played out a thrilling 3–3 draw in their Group Three clash at the Arab Contractors Stadium.
Striker Amr Nasser put Zamalek ahead in the 21st minute with a well-placed header. The Whites doubled the lead right before half-time when Kahraba goalkeeper Farag Shawky inadvertently turned the ball into his own net in the 46th minute.
Zamalek Palestinian forward Adam Kaied made it 3–0 just three minutes into the second half, finishing off a superb assist from Brazilian winger Juan Alvina.
Kahraba mounted a spirited comeback led by Mohamed El-Sayed “Shika”, who pulled one back in the 54th minute after a fine pass from Hassan El-Shazly. Shika struck again with a precise header in the 72nd minute before completing his hat-trick in the 78th, sealing a dramatic point for his side.
Pharco FC 3–2 Contractors
Pharco FC edged Arab Contractors 3–2 in an entertaining Group One encounter at Haras El-Hodood Stadium in Alexandria.
Nigerian striker Kalu Onyemaechi and forward Mohamed Salem scored for Contractors, but Pharco FC clinched the victory through goals from Ahmed Fouad and a brace by Karim Al-Tayeb.
NBE Club 6–1 Pyramids FC
NBE Club produced the standout result of the round, overwhelming Pyramids FC 6–1 in their Group Two match at Al-Salam Stadium in Cairo.
National Bank dominated the first half, scoring five goals after fielding a full-strength lineup. Pyramids FC opted to give their youth players valuable experience, using the occasion to evaluate talents for future first-team promotion.
Forward Ahmed Yasser opened the scoring in the 20th minute, followed by Ahmed Meteb in the 24th and winger Mostafa Shalaby in the 29th.
Yousri Waheed struck twice—once in the 31st minute and again in the 40th—to cap a commanding first-half performance.
Striker Ahmed Amin “Oufa” added the sixth in the 69th minute, while Ahmed Fikry netted Pyramids’ lone consolation.
Groups lineup
The 21 participating teams have been divided into three groups of seven.
Group One features Al-Ahly, Ceramica Cleopatra, Pharco FC, Talae El-Geish, Enppi, Ghazl El-Mahalla, and Arab Contractors.
Group Two includes Pyramids FC, NBE Club, Petrojet, El-Gouna, Modern Sport, Ismaily, and Wadi Degla.
Group Three consists of Zamalek, Al-Masry, Haras El-Hodood, ZED FC, Al-Ittihad of Alexandria, Smouha, and Kahraba Ismailia.
Prize pool
The Egypt Capital Cup boasts a lucrative prize pool, with the champions earning EGP 10 million, the runners-up EGP 4 million, third place EGP 2 million, and fourth place EGP 1.5 million.
The increased financial rewards have raised the stakes, driving fierce competition as clubs battle to secure their share of the substantial payouts.
Previous champions
Modern Sport captured the inaugural Egypt Capital Cup title by defeating Ghazl El-Mahalla in the first final.
Ceramica Cleopatra then asserted dominance, winning three straight editions, overcoming Al-Masry, Talae El-Geish, and NBE Club in successive finals.
