Zamalek forward Mahmoud Abdel-Razek "Shikabala" (C) at Zamalek club in Cairo, Egypt, Sunday, 26 April 2015 (Photo: Courtesy of Zamalek official website)
After reaching an agreement with Zamalek's board to come back to his boyhood club, forward Mahmoud "Shikabala" Abdel-Razek believes that the Whites can beat Moroccan side FUS in the second leg of the CAF Confederation Cup on Sunday and qualify for the next round.
Following their first-leg goalless draw at home, Zamalek will have a tough mission on Sunday when they meet their Moroccan opponent away.
They should win or secure a score draw to advance to another last-16 round.
"[Jesualdo] Ferreira is a great coach and I am confident that players will come on with his tactics soon," Shikabala told the club's weekly magazine.
"I am confident of the players' ability to beat FUS in Morocco to remain in the African championship," the Sporting Lisbon player added.
"Playing in Morocco will be better than in Cairo as the team won't play a game worse than they did here."
The 29-year-old midfielder winger at the Zamalek club headquarters with board member Amr El-Ganainy and ex-board members Medhat and Mohamed El-Adl last week to negotiate his return during the transfer window.
Shikabala, who left Zamalek to join Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon for a season on loan in early 2014, has been out of action since September after a dispute with his club.
The Aswan-born talent starred with Zamalek from 1996, catching the eyes of many with his skills and also inspiring the Whites to win their last Egyptian League title in 2004 and the Egypt Cup in 2008 and 2013.
"I hope to be back here in Zamalek as it's my home that I grew up in; I won't play for any team except Zamalek," he said.
He played for the Greek side PAOK between 2005 and 2007 and was loaned by Al-Wasl of UAE in the 2012-13 season.
He has played for the Egyptian national team since 2005, making a few appearances. He was present when the Pharaohs won the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations.
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