Although Zamalek have secured their progress to the African Champions League last eight with one match to spare in Group A, they still want to take full advantage of their final group-stage game away to Angola's Primero de Agosto on Saturday. The White Knights have a busy schedule in February, which will see them face Tunisia's Esperance in the African Super Cup in Qatar before meeting Cairo foes Ahly twice in the domestic Super Cup and the Egyptian league. Regardless of the outcome of the last round of matches in the group phase, Zamalek will advance as runners-up as they sit second with eight points, three behind leaders TP Mazembe of DR Congo, who enjoy a superior head-to-head record over the Cairo giants. Primero de Agosto and Zambia's Zesco United have three points apiece. "Despite our qualification for the quarterfinals, Primero de Agosto's game is very important to prepare the players for the CAF Super Cup and for the upcoming games," Zamalek coach Patrice Carteron told the pre-match news conference. "I won't accept any recklessness from the players until we win the tournament. We must work hard as players and technical staff." The French boss has left at home a host of key regulars, including midfield linchpins Tarek Hamed and Ferjani Sassi as well as first-choice goalkeeper Mohamed Abou-Gabal. Zamalek welcome back Mahmoud Gennesh after a long injury-lay off. He was the team's regular keeper before rupturing an Achilles tendon while on international duty. The five-time Champions League winners beat Primero de Agosto 2-0 in their home clash of Group A in December. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
