African trade ministers meet in Cairo to push forward with AfCFTA    Scatec's $3.6bn renewables portfolio part of Egypt's NWFE energy pillar    Egypt's stocks end lower on Sept 16    Egypt launches international architecture academy with UNESCO, European partners    Egypt's President, Pakistan's PM condemn Israeli attack on Qatar    Egypt's PM, Russian deputy PM discuss industrial zone, Dabaa nuclear plant    Egypt signs MoUs with 3 European universities to advance architecture, urban studies    Sisi tells global leaders at Macron's video conference: Israel crossed all red lines    Egypt to begin second phase of universal health insurance in Minya    Madrid trade talks focus on TikTok as US and China seek agreement    Power of Proximity: How Egyptian University Students Fall in Love with Their Schools Via Social Media Influencers    Egypt wins Aga Khan Award for Architecture for Esna revival project    Egypt's Foreign Minister, Pakistani counterpart meet in Doha    Egypt condemns terrorist attack in northwest Pakistan    Egypt advances plans to upgrade historic Cairo with Azbakeya, Ataba projects    Egyptian pound ends week lower against US dollar – CBE    Egypt hosts G20 meeting for 1st time outside member states    Lebanese Prime Minister visits Egypt's Grand Egyptian Museum    Egypt to tighten waste rules, cut rice straw fees to curb pollution    Egypt seeks Indian expertise to boost pharmaceutical industry    Egypt prepares unified stance ahead of COP30 in Brazil    Egypt harvests 315,000 cubic metres of rainwater in Sinai as part of flash flood protection measures    Al-Sisi says any party thinking Egypt will neglect water rights is 'completely mistaken'    Egyptian, Ugandan Presidents open business forum to boost trade    Egypt's Sisi, Uganda's Museveni discuss boosting ties    Egypt's Sisi warns against unilateral Nile measures, reaffirms Egypt's water security stance    Greco-Roman rock-cut tombs unearthed in Egypt's Aswan    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Zamalek lost CAF Champions League title, departed Egypt Cup due to coronavirus, says coach Pacheco
Mahmoud Elassal Published in Ahram Online on 10 - 12 - 2020

Zamalek coach Jaime Pacheco said that the coronavirus pandemic was partly to blame for his team's loss in the final game of the CAF Champions League as well as its departure from the Egypt Cup in the semifinal, but added that the Whites still have a brilliant squad that deserves to win more trophies.
"I did my best with Zamalek to solve some problems in the defence line and we managed to achieve our target but the coronavirus negatively affected the players' performance at a critical time," Pacheco told Zamalek's TV channel late on Wednesday.
Zamalek lost the services of number of their key players during the 2-1 loss to Ahly in the CAF Champions League final game last month such as in-form defender Mahmoud Hamdi, left back Abdalla Gomaa, and attacking midfielder Youssef Obama, who tested positive with COVID-19 before the match.
The Whites also lost to Talae El-Geish 3-1 in the Egypt Cup semifinalonly three days after losing the CAF Champions League final.
"We conceded five goals in two games after losing the services of the team's in-form defender Mahmoud Hamdi and left back Abdalla Gomaa who contracted with coronavirus," Pacheco said.
"I am proud to work with Zamalek players as they did everything to win all trophies but Ahly's experience and luck helped them to win the title,"
Zamalek's preparations for new season
The 62-year-old tactician confirmed that he bets on youth players in order not to cause more financial headache for the club's management.
Zamalek had called off a deal to sign Danish-Egyptian forward Amir Adel, AKA Alexander Jakobson, and refused to sign Ahly's former winger Ahmed El-Shiekh in a free transfer.
"Amir Adel is a brilliant player and I appreciated his CV but I am betting on players from the youth squad."
"I asked the club's management to sign a defender, and I also saw Ahmed El-Sheikh could add more value to the team's frontline, but the management did not complete the deal with the player."
"I also asked the management to recall Ivorian forward Razack Cissé who is on loan with Ittihad of Alexandria but they didn't," Pacheco said.
Zamalek will start their mission in the Egyptian Premier League on Saturday when they face Arab Contractors in the first matchday.
(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)

Clic here to read the story from its source.