Zamalek asked the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) the permission to play in the next version of the African Champions League. The club's decision comes after Ismaili decided to abandon the competition preferring to take part in the Arab Champions League. Zamalek missed out on a Champions League automatic place after finishing the Egyptian league in third position last season. It is worth mentioning that the league's champion and the runner up guarantee African Champions League participation, while third placed teams play in the CAF Confederations Cup. In turn, Egyptian Cup runners up ENPPI asked EFA to take Zamalek's place in the CAF Cup in case The Whites' request to play in the Champions League is accepted.