Zamalek will not participate in the Arab Champions League, preferring the more illustrious African competition, coach Hassan Shehata said on Wednesday.
The Arab Champions League comes back to life after sponsorship problems saw it suspended for two seasons.
“We can take part in the Arab competition because we finished second in the Egyptian Premier League last season. However, we will not,” said Shehata, who took over at Zamalek in the close season following the departure Hossam Hassan.
“We will participate in the African Champions League because it is much stronger.”
A revamped Arab Champions League was introduced in the 2003/04 season. Zamalek participated in that competition, winning the bronze medal after beating Saudi Arabia’s Hilal in the third-place playoff.
The Cairo giants also participated in the competition the following three seasons without winning it.
Zamalek won the last of their five African Champions League titles in 2002. They have struggled since then, with arch-rivals and Cairo foes Ahly surpassing them to take their the sixth title in 2008.
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