CAIRO - Egyptian giants Al-Ahly and Zamalek have difficult fixtures today in their second-leg matches in the round of 32 of the African Champions League (ACL). Zamalek will face Africa Sports of Côte d'Ivoire in the Houphouet-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan at 5:30pm (Cairo Local Time [CLT]), while Al-Ahly will meet Ethiopian Coffee at 7pm (CLT) at the Military Stadium, behind closed doors. Shehata: Zamalek eyeing win in Abidjan
"We will play to win in Côte d'Ivoire, because playing for a draw could be very dangerous in this difficult clash," Hassan Shehata, Zamalek technical coach, told Egypt's official Middle East News Agency (MENA). Zamalek, five-time African champions, beat Africa Sports 1-0 behind closed doors in the Military Stadium in their first-leg tie in Cairo, thanks to a goal from Benin striker Razak Omotoyossi. "Africa Sport are a strong team that play well at home. They are ready technically and physically, because they play regularly in their Premier League. Therefore, it's going to be a difficult game," added Shehata, stressing that the Zamalek players have an enormous desire to win the ACL title. Shehata has excluded two very skilful players from the squad that will face Africa Sport: playmaker Mahmoud Abdel-Razeq 'Shikaballah' and striker Ahmed Hossam 'Mido'. "Shikaballah missed the team's training sessions after returning from the national team camp in Sudan. He is, therefore, not ready for this crucial tie, while striker Mido is ruled out due to a back injury," the 62-year-old Zamalek manager explained. The White Knights will also be without rightwinger Ahmed Samir due to injury, while Hazem Imam has been ruled out because of a second yellow card, as well as Mohamed Ibrahim for technical reasons. Zamalek general coach Ismail Youssef has urged his players to concentrate hard and to forget the result of the first-leg match in Cairo. "The coaching staff have urged the players to focus hard on today's game, in order to qualify for the last 16," he said, adding that they benefited from the friendly against Misr Elmaqasah club before travelling to Abidjan. "We feel reassured about a number of players who have recently come back from injury, notably Islam Awad and Omar Gaber," Youssef explained. The White Knights defeated Misr Elmaqasah 1-0 in the friendly last Tuesday, thanks to a goal from Omotoyossi. "The coaching staff have prepared alternatives for the absentees, especially Shikaballah, Mido, Ahmed Samir and Hazem Imam," Youssef continued, explaining that striker Amr Zaki is ready for the African clash. "Winning the first-leg at home is good, especially given at the current circumstances for Egyptian football," he said. “The second-leg in Abidjan is like the second-half of the first-leg. We will play in Abidjan to win and I am confident that the players can do it.” The White Knights qualified for the round 32 of the ACL after beating the Young Africans of Tanzania 1-0 in the second leg in the round of 64, thanks to a Mido header. Hani Said, the White Knights defender, said that the team will not be affected by Abidjan's hot climate, stressing that he and his teammates will do their best to win. "We're used to playing under pressure and in front of the opponents' fans," he added. “But the first-leg in Cairo showed that the West African outfit are well organised, with talented coaching staff and many good young players. We mustn't underestimate them.”
Youssef: Ahly are determined to qualify
Mohamed Youssef, Al-Ahly assistant coach, said that the players are determined to qualify for the round of 16 of the ACL, explaining that the lads watched a video recording of the first-leg match against Ethiopian Coffee, to study their opponents weak and strong points. Youssef is confident that the players can overcome their recent difficulties, which threatened to lead to the cancelling of the game, but thankfully the security authorities have now agreed to secure the fixture. "The coaching staff are doing the best to get the players to concentrate hard,” he stressed. At the eleventh hour, the Interior Ministry has officially given the go-ahead for the Ahly-Ethiopian Coffee ACL match, to be held behind closed doors in the Military Stadium. If the security authorities hadn't agreed to secure the game and sent an official letter saying so, Ahly would have been suspended for three years from the tournaments organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). "The coaching staff are taking the second-leg match very seriously, as we really want to win," Youssef told Stad Al-Ahly website, stressing that it won't be a cakewalk. In the first-leg, Ahly drew 0-0 against Ethiopian Coffee in Addis Ababa. The Red Devils need to win to qualify. If the teams draw 0-0, the matter will have to be settled from the penalty spot; if there is a draw with goals, Ethiopian Coffee will win on away goals. Youssef explained that the team will be strengthened by the return of Walid Soleiman, Mohamed Barakat and Hossam Ashour. "Their participation will depend on the coaching staff, headed by Manuel José da Silva, view," he added. The Red Devils will enter the game without key injured players like Wael Gomaa, Sayyed Moa'wad, Abdullah el-Said, Rami Rabia and Ahmed Fathi. Youssef explained that the irregularity of games is the main cause for the injuries. "How can the players maintain their physical fitness if the team have only played one official game in two months?" he asked. Al-Ahly's tie against Ethiopian Coffee in Addis Ababa was their first official match since the Port Said tragedy, which claimed the lives of at least 74 Ahly fans and injured more than 1,000. This tragic incident led to the cancellation of the Egyptian Premier League this season. "The experience of the Ahly players and their desire to win the tournament for the Port Said martyrs are a massive motivation," Youssef pointed out.
