Zamalek coach: ‘Shikabala’s attendance at CAFCC semifinal makes us happy and honors us’

Zamalek head coach Moatamed Gamal said that his team’s upcoming match against CR Belouizdad in the second leg of the CAF Confederation Cup semi-final will be difficult for both sides.

Zamalek will host the Algerian team on Friday at 16:00 GMT at Cairo International Stadium, holding a 1-0 advantage from the first leg played at Nelson Mandela Stadium.

He said in the press conference:
“Tomorrow’s match will be more difficult for Zamalek because the opponent is required to win only, and the result of the first leg is deceptive.”

He added:
“There is no alternative for us except to win in order to secure qualification to the final match, and we spoke with the players that the situation will change in the return leg in light of the presence of our fans behind us, and we will play the match on our stadium, and I hope that success will be on our side and we become a party in the final match.”

Zamalek coach continued:
“The fans of Zamalek Club are different from any fans and we rely on them mainly, and the team’s players do not present all their capabilities except in the presence of the fans, because they are a motivation for us to present the best level.”

He went on:
“The presence of Shikabala in tomorrow’s match makes us happy and honors us because he is one of Zamalek’s legends.”

Gamal added:
“We are the only team that represents Egypt in African competitions, and this gives the team motivation, and we do not think about the league currently, and we play each match independently from the other, and Zamalek players are used to the pressure of matches, and the technical staff pays attention to the physical load, and I thank the Football Association for coordinating match schedules due to the team’s commitment to the Confederation Cup.”

He continued:
“Juan Bezerra underwent intensive medical and rehabilitation training with the medical staff, and the player’s position regarding participation in the match will be determined in light of today’s training.”

The coach added:
“We warned the players against relying on the result of the first leg, and we focus on tomorrow’s match in order to achieve victory and secure qualification to the final.”

Zamalek coach concluded:
“The technical staff was keen to prepare the players psychologically to achieve victory and secure qualification in tomorrow’s match.”

⚽ Follow Pan-Africa Football across platforms for real-time news and stories.