When Zamalek host AS CotonTchad in the first leg of the African Confederation Cup second round on Saturday, their minds will be filled with the mere thought of avoiding a shock similar to last year's.

At the same stage last March, Ethiopia's little-known outfit Wolaitta Dicha sprang a huge surprise by eliminating illustrious opponents Zamalek 4-3 on penalties following a 2-2 aggregate draw.

The bitter defeat led to further disappointments in the Egyptian Premier League as Zamalek could only settle for a Confederation Cup place for the second year in a row, missing out on the lucrative Champions League.

But this time around they can have realistic dreams of lifting their first Confederation Cup trophy to add to their African haul.

Zamalek are enjoying a great run of form in the Egyptian league, tearing apart opponents at will and producing some vivid attacking displays which helped them chalk up seven straight wins to keep their lead intact on top of the table.

They must not take anything for granted against CotonTchad though, having been dumped out of the Arab Zayed Cup at the hands of the less fancied Ittihad of Alexandria.

CotonTchad, winners of only two Chad league titles, made their last African appearance at the Confederations Cup in 2010, suffering a preliminary-round exit.

Saturday's match will take place at Cairo's Petrosport stadium after CotonTchad declined to agree to a last-minute switch of venue to Alexandria's Borg El-Arab.

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