Africa-Press. Zamalek and Al-Masry of Port Said, Egypt’s representatives in the CAF Confederation Cup, will play two tough matches in the fifth round of the group stage.
The two teams, competing in Group D, will play the day after tomorrow, Sunday: Zamalek will visit Zambia’s Zesco United, while Al-Masry has traveled to South Africa to face Kaizer Chiefs.
Absences hit Zamalek ahead of Zesco
Colds have swept through Zamalek’s squad, leading to the absence of several key players who did not travel to Zambia.
Zamalek’s football director, Abdel Nasser Mohamed, said that playmaker Abdallah El Saïd is at the top of the list of absentees for the match.
In comments to Zamalek’s media center before the team departed for Zambia early Friday, he said: “Abdallah El Saïd is suffering from a cold and a high temperature, which prompted the technical staff to leave him out of the traveling squad for the match.”
He added: “Brazilian Juan Pizera will be out of the squad due to a foot injury, which also caused him to miss the league match against Kahraba Ismailia.”
He also disclosed that Angolan Chico Banza and Tunisian Seifeddine Jaziri will remain unavailable due to colds, while Omar Gaber continues to be sidelined because of a knee injury.
Zamalek top Group D with eight points, one point ahead of Al-Masry and Kaizer Chiefs.
A win for Zamalek over Zesco, who are bottom with zero points, would guarantee qualification to the quarter-finals, but any other result could complicate their position in the group.
Al-Masry face a tough challenge against Kaizer Chiefs
Al-Masry will face a difficult match against Kaizer Chiefs, as they need at least a draw to keep their hopes of reaching the quarter-finals alive.
