Mido, whose header gave Zamalek a 1-0 victory over Tanzania’s Young Africans and a place in the African Champions League round of 32, still needs time to regain full fitness, assistant coach Ismail Youssef said.

The 29-year-old frontman headed home in the first half as Zamalek won 2-0 on aggregate to secure passage to the next round.

He appeared in a good physical shape after losing around 11 kilograms as he tries to defy critics, who questioned Zamalek’s decision to sign him in January last year.

“Mido’s fine display is one of the advantages we gained from tonight’s game,” Youssef said after the game, which was played behind closed doors at Cairo’s Military Academy Stadium.

“However, he still needs some time to regain full fitness.”

Youssef said Zamalek’s display was in part affected by the absence of spectators as the Cairo giants were punished for the crowd riots which ruined their Champions League game against Tunisia’s Club Africain last year.

“Our progress to the round of 32 is what matters most. It is more important than the performance,” he added.

“Playing without our fans affected the players’ performance. We also have to bear in mind that we do not play competitive games following the Port Said disaster.”

 All domestic football activities have been suspended since the Port Said tragedy, which left 74 fans killed and hundreds injured on the first of February.

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