Coach Jesualdo Ferreira of Egypt's Zamalek reacts during their during their CAF Confederation Cup soccer match against Tunisia's CS Sfaxien at Petro Sport stadium in Cairo, Egypt (Photo: Reuters)
Zamalek assistant manager Ismail Youssef hailed Portuguese boss Jesualdo Ferreira as a man who has a 'lion’s heart’ following the Whites’ last-gasp 1-0 win over Sfaxien in the Confederation Cup group-stage opener at Cairo's Petrosport Stadium.
The Cairo giants needed a 90th-minute goal from substitute Abdoulaye Cisse to bag all three points against a resilient opponent who were about to hold them to a goalless draw.
Speaking of Ferreira, Youssef hailed his tactics and bold decisions throughout the game, describing the former Porto tactician as a man who boasts a ‘lion’s heart’.
“All the players displayed their spirit tonight; they overcame the exhaustion and the hectic schedule as a result of playing a match every 72 hours,” Youssef said.
“However, I should pay tribute to manager Ferreira for his shrewd tactics and bold decisions throughout the game. He is a man who has a lion’s heart," he added, referring to the 69-year-old's decision to play with three strikes and two attacking midfielders in the latter stages.
The future of Ferreira, whose contract runs out next month, remains unknown, with some reports indicating that Zamalek chairman Mortada Mansour could keep him at the helm next season following the team’s fine displays of late.
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