Aware that their hopes of challenging Ahly for the Egyptian league title this season are very slim, Zamalek have shifted their attention towards two key Super Cup clashes this month. Zamalek's French coach Patrice Carteron is likely to field a weakened side against Haras El-Hodoud in Wednesday's league match, less than 10 days before the team meet Tunisia's Esperance in the African Super Cup in Qatari capital Doha. They also face Cairo rivals Ahly in the domestic Super Cup in the United Arab Emirates on 20 February. "February is a very important month for us, with two games equalling two trophies," Zamalek's football director Amir Mansour said on the club's official website. "Our next two games against El-Hodoud and Ismaily will represent good preparations for the Super Cups. "We are not underestimating the league competition but Carteron intends to rotate his squad to prepare the team [for the Super Cup games]." Zamalek have been inconsistent in their domestic league campaign, falling a staggering 11 points behind defending champions Ahly, who also have a game in hand. Their only realistic hope lies in finishing second to earn an African Champions League spot next season. El-Hodoud will be seeking to end a three-match winless run in the league. They lie 10th in the table with 18 points. Carteron left main striker Mostafa Mohamed out of Zamalek's squad for the game. Influential central midfielder Ferjani Sassi is also rested but the team welcome back Moroccan playmaker Achraf Bencharki after he recovered from injury. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
