Ahly coach predicts victory over 'enthusiastic' Zamalek

Eslam Omar, Wednesday 11 Sep 2013

Cairo giants Ahly and Zamalek play on 15 September in African Champions League with both teams hoping to qualify for next stage

Ahly coach
Ahly's coach Mohamed Youssef (Photo: Al-Ahram)

Ahly coach Mohamed Youssef says he knows Sunday's African Champions League match against Zamalek will be tough, but he is confident Ahly will win.

"The match will be very difficult after the last round's results. Now all teams have a chance to qualify for the semifinals," the Reds coach told Ahram Sports weekly magazine.

Youssef added: "Zamalek's morale is very high now after they revived their hopes of qualifying by beating Orlando Pirates."

After two successive defeats, Zamalek beat South Africa's Orlando Pirates 2-1 early this month, raising their points to four, after a draw with Ahly in the first round.

"The circumstances are not the same as the first round. Now, a single point can separate each team," Youssef added. "The match will be very tough but Ahly will win like last year when we were paired in the same group - we qualified and they were eliminated."

Group A is still wide open after four rounds as Ahly are level with Orlando Pirates with seven points, three ahead of Congo's AC Leopards and Egypt's Zamalek.

The Ahly v Zamalek match will be held behind closed doors at Gouna stadium in Hurghada, 430km from the capital, due to security concerns, but both teams have said the location of the match is not important.

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