Zamalek interim coach Ahmed Abdel-Raouf. Photo: Zamalek official Facebook page
“We worked under very tough conditions,” Abdel-Raouf told reporters after the match in the United Arab Emirates.
“We suffered from many injuries, but I don’t want to look for excuses. Losing a title is not the end of the world. We have a lot of work to do in the coming days.”
Zamalek were without Moroccan fullback Mahmoud Bentayeg through injury, while Brazilian winger Juan Alvina and the team’s Palestinian striker were on the bench as they continued to recover from knocks.
Defender Mohamed Ismael was also forced off injured during the game.
Abdel-Raouf, who took over as interim coach a week earlier, said the timing of Ahly’s first goal — scored by Moroccan winger Achraf Bencharki a minute before halftime — was crucial.
“The timing of the first goal was very bad for us and gave them confidence to score another,” he said.
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