Zamalek coach Jesualdo Ferreira has heaped praise on both his players and their opponents, Arab Contractors, after Tuesday's Egyptian league victory, saying that his team is now close to winning the title.

Zamalek edged closer to an elusive league title after thrashing Contractors 3-0 to set a league record of 77 points, nine clear of title holders and rivals Ahly.

"It was a difficult win. I want to congratulate Arab Contractors coach Hassan Shehata for the outstanding performance of his team," Ferreira said in the press conference after the match.

"Also I want to thank my players for the result and performance. They are doing their best and fought until the last minute despite playing successive matches in very little time.

"We are a step closer to the title. We still need to get seven points to be the heroes and we will have no other choice but to win all the coming matches to proceed and get more confidence," the 69-year old coach added.

Zamalek, who are bidding for their first league title since 2004, will directly start preparations for their Africa Confederation Cup group stage opener against Tunisia's Sfaxien on Saturday.

"The Sfaxien match is a difficult one especially as it comes amid the fatigue of playing many successive matches but I have full confidence in the players to win and get the best kickoff in the group stage," explained Ferreira.

Zamalek made it into the Confederation Cup group stage after their 3-1 home win over DR Congo's Sanga Balende earlier this month.

They are playing in Group B, competing with Tunisian Sfaxien, South Africa's Orlando Pirates and AC Leopards of DR Congo.

The 11-time Egyptian league winners are bidding to win Africa's second elite club competition for the first time in their history.

(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)