Ethiopian international Oumed Oukri leads the Egyptian side Samoha SC in a knock-out Cup final showdown against mighty Zamalek. The 27 year-old striker became the first ever Ethiopian footballer to play in a Cup Final since Salhadin Said who appeared in a Cup final with Wadi Dagela in 2013.
After crushing out the Premier League champion Al-Ahly out of the semifinals, Alassiouty SC was the hot favorite to go through the Cup final, Oumed spear headed by Samoha stirred a major upset on Tuesday sending out the favorites after a 4-3 penalty shootout victory. Though the Gambella born striker missed two golden chances to scroll his name on the score board, he tormented Alassiouty defense for eighty minutes before substitution.
Samoha’s Cup final adversary is the 23 times Cup winners Zamalek that reached for the final phase destroying Ismaily to 4-1 semifinal victory. Just eight years in the upper echelon but going stronger by the years Samoha nick named “The Blue Waves” is considered the underdogs with African giants Zamalek the favorite to lift the coveted trophy.
The former Mekelakya and Saint George attack Oumed has been in Egyptian Premier League since 2014 appearing to four sides: Al-Ethad Alexandria, ENPPI, El-Harby and in his current club Alexandria based Samoah. Eleven goals in to his name including five this season, Oumed stands the second highest scorer of Samoah next to each eight goals heroes Hossam Hassan and Mohammed Hamdi Zaki.
Al-Ahly retained the 2017-18 Egyptian Premier League title for fourth consecutive seasons followed from far by Ismaily, AlMasery and Zamalek respectively. Samoha finished fifth with 51 points.
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