Zamalek defender ‘El-Wensh’ returns to squad after lengthy absence

Ahram Online , Sunday 5 Mar 2023

Zamalek solid defender Mahmoud ‘El-Wensh’ Hamdi was named in Zamalek squad that will face Esperance de Tunis in a Champions League group stage game in Cairo on Tuesday, marking his return after around five months of absence due to a serious muscle injury.

Zamalek defender El-Wensh . Al-Ahram

The international defender who was instrumental in Zamalek campaign last season, which saw the team win the domestic double, has been out of action since October as he underwent a muscle surgery after being injured in the league opener against Smouha.

Zamalek backline suffered with the absence of the 27-year-old, especially with the shaky performance of defenders Mohamed Abdel-Ghani and summer signing Mostafa El-Zenari who failed to fill the void left by his absence.

The list saw the absence of veteran fullback Mohamed Abdel-Shafi who sustained a muscle injury during Zamalek goalless draw against Pyramids FC in an Egyptian league game on Friday.

Zamalek has no option but to win against Esperance de Tunis to keep their slim hopes alive in the Champions League.

They lie on the bottom of the group with a single point from three games.

(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)