Egypt's Zamalek are aware they should improve their finishing if they are to advance to the African Confederation Cup group stage as they host Morocco's Ittihad Tanger in the second leg of the competition's playoff in Alexandria on Saturday.

Zamalek, the five-time Champions League winners who have never won Africa's secondary club competition, were the better side in the first leg in Tangier but could not convert their chances to settle for a 0-0 draw.

They are favourites to get the job done at Alexandria's Borg El-Arab Stadium but they should be also cautious at the back as an away goal could help Tanger spring a huge upset.

"This competition is very important and we should continue our path towards the title. You are doing a great job but we are still in the middle of the season," Zamalek's chairman Mortada Mansour was quoted by the club's official website as telling the players.

"I have the utmost trust in you and coach Christian Gross. You will have to produce a display that would live up to the expectations of the many fans who will attend the match at Borg El-Arab."

Zamalek will be missing injured winger Mostafa Fathi against Tanger. Omar El-Said is also expected to be fielded as a lone striker again as new signing Khalid Boutaib has not made the squad.

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