CAIRO - Zamalek general coach Ismail Youssef has urged his players to concentrate hard as they prepare for their round of 32 African Champions League (ACL) clash against Africa Sports of Côte d'Ivoire. He has advised them to forget all about the result of the first-leg match held in Cairo last week. "The coaching staff, headed by coach Hassan Shehata, have told the lads to focus hard on the second leg, in order to qualify for the last 16," said Youssef. Zamalek, five-time African champions, beat Africa Sports 1-0 behind closed doors in the Military Stadium last Sunday, thanks to a goal from Benin striker Razak Omotoyossi. "Winning is good, especially given the current circumstances for Egyptian football and the inability of the teams to play friendlies," Youssef stressed, pointing out that the second leg in Abidjan will be like the second-half of the match. "We obviously want to win and I am confident that the team can do it," he added, explaining that the coaching staff are busy trying to arrange friendlies in preparation for the ACL return leg. Before the Africa Sports first leg, the White Knights' recent friendlies had been cancelled for security reasons, based on an Interior Ministry decision. But the team played a secret friendly with Haras el-Hedoud, defeating them 3-2. The ACL second leg against the West African outfit will be held on Sunday, April 8 in the Houphouet-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan. The White Knights qualified for the round 32 of the ACL after beating the Young Africans of Tanzania 1-0 in the round of 64 in the second leg, thanks to a header by striker Ahmed Hossam 'Mido'. Osama Nabih, Zamalek assistant coach, said that the game against Africa Sports in Cairo was difficult, but the team did well in these circumstances and in the absence of their fans. “The Abidjan-side are well organised, with talented coaching staff and many great young players. We mustn't underestimate them,” he warned. Nabih explained that the team are suffering from many injuries, including striker Ahmed Hossam 'Mido', Ahmed Samir and midfielder Mohamed Ibrahim. "The trio are doubtful for Abidjan," he explained, adding that Amr Zaki is ready for the African clash. Shehata to continue with White Knights Zamalek technical coach Hassan Shehata has denied that he is going to take charge of the Senegal national team, which recently dismissed coach Amara Traore following a dismal 2012 African Cup of Nations (ACN) campaign, Egynews.net official website reported. "I'm not thinking now of any offers, as I just want to concentrate with my team for the ACL return-leg against Africa Sports," he was quoted as saying. According to media reports, Shehata has received an offer to coach the Senegal first national team, and he is thinking seriously about it. The 62-year-old Zamalek manager explained that he will continue with the White Knights until they start winning more trophies and championships. "The rumours are totally untrue," he stressed.
