Zamalek coach Jesualdo Ferreira
The White Knights will kick off their Champions League group stage campaign on Friday when they host CR Belouizdad of Algeria at Cairo stadium.
The 76-year-old Portuguese coach returns at the helm in the game against the Algerian side in a third spell as head coach less than 10 days after his sacking by the club president due poor results.
Zamalek’s slim hopes to defend their Egyptian League title were dealt a huge blow after slumping to their fourth league defeat this season when they lost 3-0 to Pharco FC on Monday.
They now lie fourth in the league table with 29 points, eight points behind leaders Ahly who have two matches on hand.
Zamalek paid for their poor starts in the opening games of the competition’s group stage during the past two editions, ending third in the four-team group and failing to book one of the two qualifying tickets for the quarter-finals both times.
In 2021, they opened the group stage with a goalless draw at home by Algerian side MC Alger.
In 2022, they opened the group stage with a 2-2 draw by Petro Atletico of Angola in Cairo.
This term, Ferreira, aims to help the team win in their opening game as the White Knights continue to chase their first champions League title in 20 years.
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