The White Knights’ Portuguese manager Jorvan Vieira said on Thursday that his team needs to prepare intensively before playing in the CAF Champions League.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced on Monday the draw of its inter-club 2013 tournaments, which hands Zamalek an easy game against Gazelle from Chad in the preliminary round next February.

"The team needs intensive preparations before the Champions League start," the Portuguese coach told Zamalek’s official web site on Thursday. "We will begin our campaign in February which means there is not a lot of time. The clubs’s management should organise several preparation camps for the team before the competition’s start.“

Zamalek has not played any official games since its elimination from the quarter-finals of this year's CAF Champions League, won by Ahly. Given the uncertain fate of the domestic league, suspended since the Port Said disaster last February, the Cairo giants need intensive preparations before playing in a serious competition like the Champions league.

Concerning the upcoming game against Gazelle the Portuguese coach voiced caution concerning this game, insisting that his team should respect their opponent as there are no more easy games in the continental competition.

"We should respect our opponent," he said. "Our preparations should be the same for all opponents whatever their names. There is no more easy games in the Champions League and the world of football saw several surprises, that’s why we should be cautious."

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