Zamalek, once a formidable force in African football, are yearning for the glory days of the past as they begin their quest to end a 10-year wait for the prestigious Champions League accolade.
The Cairo side blossomed in the 1990s and early 2000s, winning Africa’s top club trophy three times and proving the team to beat. They displayed free-flowing football in the process, inspired by several stars, including Egypt’s all-time leading scorer Hossam Hassan.
Hassan was a prolific striker when Zamalek clinched the 2002 title at the expense of Moroccan outfit Raja Casablanca, whom they defeated courtesy of a famous long-range shot from defensive midfielder Tamer Abdel-Hamid at the Cairo Stadium, which gave them a 1-0 aggregate win.
Zamalek have since been eclipsed by arch-rivals Ahly, with constant administrative and financial problems taking their toll on Zamalek as their Cairo foes broke their record of five Champions League triumphs after winning a sixth title in 2008.
“We still have great popularity in Africa, and we will do our best to preserve it,” Zamalek assistant coach Ismail Youssef said ahead of a game at Tanzania’s Young Africans in the preliminary round of the Champions League.
The success-starved team are hoping to avoid last season’s unfortunate outcome, when thousands of their angry fans stormed the pitch just before the end of the round of 32 return-leg against Tunisia’s Club Africain in Cairo. They were consequently ordered by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to play their next two home games behind closed doors.
“We will be targeting a win away from home (against Young Africans), although our opponents will be keen to make the most of their home advantage,” Youssef added.
Post Port Said tragedy
Zamalek will be the first Egyptian team to play a football game following the infamous Port Said tragedy, which left 74 fans killed and scores injured when thousands of Masry fans invaded the pitch immediately after the end of a Premier League game against Ahly.
Domestic football activities were suspended indefinitely in the wake of the disaster amid uncertainty over whether the league would be resumed.
Zamalek, who looked promising under former Egypt coach Hassan Shehata, will have to overcome the effects of the enforced lack of action when they meet Young Africans.
They will miss winger Mahmoud Abdel-Razek “Shikabala” through injury and skipper Ahmed Hassan, who is performing the Muslim umra pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.
The return leg will take place on 3 March in Cairo.
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