ZAMALEK (Egypt) vs. ORLANDO PIRATES (Ghana) Kickoff: 16.00 CLT CAF Champions League Group A Venue: Gouna Stadium, Hurghada MATCH FACTS -Zamalek are on a 13-match winless streak in the Champions League group stage, a run that witnessed no less than nine managerial changes for the club. -Zamalek skipper Abdul-Wahed Al-Sayed is set to make his 77th African appearance for the club. He is comfortably the club's most-capped player continentally. -No other player in the current team has featured in even half the number of games that Abdul-Wahed has played for Zamalek in Africa. -Other than Abdul-Wahed, Shikabala is the only active Zamalek player ever to win a continental title with the club. -In the first match in Johannesburg, no foreign players appeared for either side. -Orlando Pirates are the only South African club who managed to beat Africa's most successful clubs Ahli and Zamalek. -The ‘Happy People' inflicted Zamalek's worst continental defeat since a 4-1 drubbing at APR Rwanda in 2004, two weeks after being responsible for Ahli's heaviest-ever home loss. QUOTES Zamalek coach Helmi Toulan "It's going to be very tough for us, but we will give our best on Sunday. Beating Pirates could be the turning point especially that both our remaining games are to be played in Egypt. "I hope we overcome these difficult circumstances and achieve a win that sees us back on track." Pirates coach Roger de Sa "When people talk of a rollercoaster, there is no better explanation of that than the period we are in right now. As a coach, you want to win and win against the best sides. "In the past month, we have chalked up one victory after the other and against the best in the business. "It might sound boastful but we might as well enjoy while it lasts. Zamalek won't be an easy proposition. They will be at home and they want to make up the lost ground. They will really be a dangerous team to meet at this juncture." TEAM NEWS Zamalek have defense pair Ahmed Samir and Hani Saied sidelined with fever and injury, but key center-half Mahmoud Fathallah returns from suspension. Also back from suspension, striker Ahmed Gaafar is expected to regain his place in attack. It has been reported that coach Toulan has already decided his starting eleven, with influential captain Abdul-Wahed Al-Sayed set to replace Mahmoud Abdul-Rahim ‘Gennesh' in goal. Midfielder Ahmed Tawfik could be a surprise inclusion while Shikabala is set to retain his place in the starting line-up.
