Zamalek’s assistant coach Ismail Youssef heaped praise upon his players after they survived a scare in Abidjan to reach the Champions League last 16 despite losing 2-1 to Ivorian side Africa Sports.
The five-time African champions risked an embarrassing early elimination but a late penalty from striker Amr Zaki lifted them through on the away-goal rule following a 2-2 aggregate draw.
"We did our best to get this well-deserved win, which will hand us a timely boost,” Youssef, who usually speaks to reporters instead of head coach Hassan Shehata, said after the game.
“Our players were fighting despite playing away from home. They also had to overcome the effects of not playing competitive games after the league was cancelled (following the Port Said disaster).
“They were heroes tonight,” he added.
The hosts scored their opener in the 57th minute before adding the second 12 minutes later, but Zamalek’s second-half substitutions made the difference, according to Youssef.
"Relying on playmaker Saied Mohamed "Qotta", attacking midfielder Islam Awad and striker Ahmed Gaffar in the second half helped us to pile on pressure," he explained.
Zamalek, who are seeking their first Champions League title since 2002, will take on Morocco's Maghreb Fez in the round of 16.
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