Zamalek coach Moataz Gamal has announced the squad that will travel to Algeria for the first leg of their CAF Confederation Cup semi-final against CR Belouizdad.
The White Knights enter this match in top form after a resounding 4-1 victory over Al Masry in the opening match of the decisive second round of the Egyptian Premier League.
Zamalek will be missing four players against CR Belouizdad, most notably goalkeeper Mohamed Sobhi, who was sent off against Otoho in the second leg of the quarter-final.
Sobhi missed the Al Masry match due to a tactical decision and is now suspended. He is expected to return to the squad for the second leg and before the crucial upcoming period in the league.
Angolan winger Chico Banza is also unavailable due to a knee ligament injury sustained in the first leg against Otoho, while Saif Gaafar and Ahmed Hamdi have been left out for tactical reasons.
It is worth noting that Zamalek will face Belouizdad next Friday at Nelson Mandela Stadium, and then host them at Cairo International Stadium the following week. The winner of this match will meet the winner of the other semi-final between Algeria’s USM Alger and Morocco’s Olympique Safi.
