Zamalek were held to a 0-0 home draw by FUS Rabat in the first leg of the African Confederation Cup round of 16 (Photo: Zamalek's official Facebook page)
Cairo giants Ahly and Zamalek will be looking to get over the disappointment of failing to get a first-leg advantage in the top two African competitions when they resume Egyptian Premier League action on Thursday.
Zamalek, who look well equipped to end an 11-year league drought, were held to a surprise 0-0 home draw by Morocco’s FUS Rabat in the Confederation Cup round of 16 clash, marking their first draw under coach Jesualdo Ferreira in his first three matches in charge.
Ahly lost 1-0 away to another Moroccan side in Moghreb Tetouan in the last 16 of the elite Champions League, which the Red Devils are seeking to win for a record-extending ninth time.
League leaders Zamalek look solid this term, with a host of close-range signings turning around their fortunes. They will be eyeing a third successive league win when they host Ittihad of Alexandria on Thursday.
“Ferreira urged the players to do their best against Ittihad to maintain their advantage at the top,” Zamalek said on their website.
The White Knights top the table with 51 points, eight clear of third-placed Ahly who are aiming to equal their own record of winning the title nine times in a row.
Ahly take on lowly Damanhour on Thursday, with under-fire coach Juan Carlos Garrido looking to ease pressure on himself after a string of poor performances as a rebuilding phase takes place following the retirement of some key players.
“We still have a very good chance of winning the title. We must win our upcoming games especially the next two against Damanhour and Arab Contractors,” the Spanish boss told reporters following the last-gasp defeat at Tetouan.
Zamalek will have to do without central defender Ahmed Dweidar against Ittihad due to injury but they have a reliable understudy in Burkinabe Mohamed Koffi. Their bigger loss will be in-form playmaker Ayman Hefni, who was also ruled out because of injury.
Ahly are also without influential winger Walid Soliman and central defender Saad Samir.
(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
Short link: