Preview: Draw is enough but Egypt's Zamalek eye win in Algeria

Ahram Online , Saturday 16 Mar 2019

Zamalek
Zamalek crushed Gor Mahia 4-0 in their previous Confederation Cup game (Ahram)

While a draw at Algeria's NA Hussein Dey on Sunday will be enough to lift Zamalek to the African Confederation Cup knockout phase, the Egyptian side will be looking for a win on the road, coach Christian Gross said.

Before the crucial final matchday, all four teams in Group D have a chance to book a last-eight berth.

Zamalek top the group with eight points, one ahead of Angola's Petro Atletico and NA Hussein Dey and two clear of Kenya's Gor Mahia.

The White Knights will ensure their progress if they at least draw against NA Hussein Dey, while a loss will leave them waiting for the other group match between Petro Atletico and Gor Mahia to end in a draw.

But Swiss coach Gross says Zamalek will be only looking for a win in Algiers.

"It's a difficult and decisive match and we are eyeing nothing but a victory," he told the pre-match news conference.

"We will play on a good pitch and this will allow us to play our game. We must take our chances."

NA Hussein Dey famously denied Zamalek a win in Alexandria, scoring a goal at the death to hold their illustrious opponents to a 1-1 draw.

Zamalek also lost their opening match at Gor Mahia and were held to a 1-1 home draw by Petro Atletico but they recovered with two successive wins over the same opponents to move top.

"It's not a match for revenge as some people might think. We are playing against a very good team who are also seeking to qualify," Gross added.

Zamalek welcome back Morocco striker Khalid Boutaib after he missed the 4-0 win over Gor Mahia due to the death of his father.

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