Ahmed El-Shennawy may play his first game with Zamalek against Ghana's Chelsea
Goalkeeper Ahmed El-Shennawy and striker Abdoulaye Cisse could make their Zamalek debut on Saturday after being included in the squad for the opening African Champions League group-stage game against Ghana’s Chelsea.
Masry guardian El-Shennawy recently joined Zamalek on a season-long loan after his club were banned for one season following February’s Port Said stadium tragedy.
Burkina Faso frontman Cisse has also left Masry, signing a three-year deal with Zamalek who sought to make up for the departure of Ahmed Hossam 'Mido'.
El-Shennawy and Cisse were included in coach Hassan Shehata's 20-man squad as five-time champions Zamalek begin their bid to win Africa's premier club competition for the first time since 2002.
The roster also included striker Amr Zaki and left-back Mohamed Abdel-Shafy after both recovered from injuries. Defender Salah Soliman and veteran midfielder Ahmed Hassan, however, will miss out on the game due to a suspension and injury respectively.
Group B also includes Zamalek's arch-rival Ahly and TP Mazembe of the DR Congo, who will meet on Sunday in Cairo.
Zamalek squad:
Goalkeepers: Abdel-Wahed El-Sayed, Ahmed El-Shennawy, Mohamed Abdel-Rehim 'Gennesh'
Defenders: Mahmoud Fathallah, Hani Saied, Ahmed Samir, Mohamed Abdel-Shafy, Sabri Rahil, Hazem Emam, Omar Gaber
Midfielders: Ibrahim Salah, Alexis Mendomo, Nour El-Sayed, Islam Awad, Mohamed Saied, Ahmed Tawfik, Mohamed Ibrahim
Forwards: Amr Zaki, Ahmed Gaafar, Abdoulaye Cisse
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