Zamalek
Manager
Jesualdo Ferreira
After masterminding a brilliant 2021-22 campaign that saw Zamalek return to the top of Egyptian football, the current campaign has been nothing short of a disaster for The White Castle. Ferreira has been caught in the chaos, being dismissed earlier in January before being restored as the coach but seeing his assistants shown the door by Zamalek’s leadership.
The 76-year-old Portuguese tactician has an excellent record over two spells with the Cairo club but several preseason signings have failed to assert themselves and the departure of star midfielder Emam Ashour to Europe at the end of the January transfer window have left the currently fourth placed Egyptian Premier League club in a precarious state. With the shame of two group stage exits in the last two CAFCL’s, it is looking more and more likely that Zamalek may see their continental hopes end prematurely yet again.
Key Players
Ahmed Sayed “Zizo”- Attacking Midfield
Zamalek’s star player was impossible to stop last season in league play with an incredible nineteen goals and fourteen assists in thirty matches, claiming the title of top scorer. While everything continues to revolve around the Egypt national team playmaker the supporting cast is far weaker this season following the departures of forward Achraf Bencharki, midfielder Emam Ashour and poor form of forward Seifeddine Jaziri. Zizo will need to improve his form outside of Egyptian football for Zamalek to progress from Group D with only one goal in Zamalek’s last two CAFCL campaigns.
