Zamalek will be hoping to climb out of their crisis when they host Arab Contractors in the Egyptian League on Thursday as they begin a new phase. After a dismal run of form, during which Zamalek exited the CAF Champions League and lost twice in the domestic competition, the team underwent a reshuffle of the technical staff. Ahmed Ramzi replaced Tarek Yehia as the club's assistant coach. Ahmed Refaat was also added to the newly-formed staff while head coach Reiner Hollmann kept his job. A major change took place in Zamalek's board of directors, with Mamdouh Abbas resigning from his post as the club's chairman. Zamalek, who suffered a stunning 3-1 defeat to Olympic in their last league game, aim to begin the new era in a convincing fashion by overcoming Contractors at the Military Academy Stadium. The Zamalek supporters would hardly bear another slip-up. They made their feelings clear during a recent friendly when they invaded the pitch and chanted angry slogans against the players. Shikabala Return The Cairo giants will be boosted by the return of talented winger Mahmoud Abdul-Razek ‘Shikabala', who completed a six-month ban for joining Zamalek without the consent of his former club PAOK Saloniki.
Shikabala set to return to action Hollmann is expected to include him in the starting line-up as reports suggest forward Gamal Hamza would not take part in the game after being linked with a move to Zamalek's arch-rivals Ahli. Zamalek will miss versatile midfielder Mohamed Abdullah and striker Mostafa Gaafar due to suspension. It remains to be seen who would occupy the left-back berth as Ricardo Alves and Osama Hassan were ruled out of the match through injury. Natural midfielder Ahmed Magdi is likely to play on the left flank, although he did not impress in that role on numerous occasions. Meanwhile, Contractors seek to end a four-match winless streak at the expense of Zamalek. The Green Mountain Wolves' last league victory was in September when they defeated Ismaili 3-2. “We have no alternative but to win to improve our league position,” Contractors coach Mohamed Radwan told FilGoal.com. “My team have to be cautious because Zamalek will be eager to put their troubles behind them.” One-time Egyptian champions Contractors lie 12th in the 16-team table with 11 points from 10 games.
