Zamalek will be looking to overcome struggling side Suez Cement in the Egyptian League on Monday to keep alive their hopes of securing a CAF Champions League spot. The Cairo giants were handed a surprising 2-1 home defeat to Masri on Thursday that halted their recent fine run of results. The loss also paved the way for Ismaili to occupy second place on 40 points, three ahead of Zamalek, who fell to fifth spot. Zamalek must finish the league as runners-up to claim the last Champions League qualifying spot. Runaway leaders Ahli are virtually guaranteed a fourth successive title. The men in white face repeated injury and suspension problems which they have to reckon with. Several Absentees Zamalek will have to do without a host of regulars when they play Suez Cement in an afternoon kick-off. "Every match in this stage of the season is difficult. Suez Cement game in particular will be hard because we will play without several players," Zamalek assistant coach Moatamed Gamal said.
Hamza may start the match "But we are a big team that can deal with such unfortunate circumstances," he told Egyptian TV. Ahmed Abdul-Raouf and Mohamed Aboul-Ella, Ruud Krol's preferred partnership in the heart of Zamalek midfield, will miss out through suspension. But the real problem exists upfront. Star striker Amr Zaki, whose latest problem with Zamalek has apparently ended in a peaceful fashion, is still suffering from a niggling knee injury. Frontmen Mostafa Gaafar and Abdul-Halim Ali weren't also included in the match squad due to injury. Dutch coach Krol will most likely rely on Gamal Hamza and Sherif Ashraf upfront. Zamalek's backline also didn't survive. Beshir Al-Tabie is out due to a hamstring injury, to join long-term absentees Wissem El-Abdi and Karim Zekri on the sidelines. Meanwhile, Suez Cement will be looking for their first win in five matches to ease their relegation worries. Although the team lie at the bottom of the table, they can still retain their top-flight status as they are just two points short of the safety zone.
