Zamalek set to kick off their CAF Champions league group-stage campaign with a visit to Nigeria as they face Enyimba FC in Aba on Sunday, June 19.
The Cairo giants hope to end their long drought and achieve a continental title as their last Champions League triumph was back in 2002.
The White Knights were qualified to the quarter final after overcoming Algerian side MO Béjaïa 3-1 on aggregate. While the People’s Elephant ousted Étoile Sportive du Sahel of Tunisia by marathon penalty shoot-out after 3-3 aggregate result between the two sides.
The draw of group stage saw Zamalek alongside Enyimba, Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa and the defending champions ES Setif of Algeria in what it seems a tricky group.
There are some notable absentees in Zamalek squad for Enyimba encounter as star man Ayman Hefni and club captain Shikabala are not fit while Mohamed Koffi was excluded due to technical reasons.
Key Battle: Mfon Udoh vs Ahmed Dewidar – The Egyptian defender will have a tough task against Udoh who scored seven goals in this year’s competition including a stunning hat-rick against Tunisian champions Étoile Sportive du Sahel in the last round and would like to increase his tally against Zamalek.
Player to watch: Ahmed El-Shennawy – The 25-year old set to start against Enyimba for the first time in two months since the injury he suffered against MO Béjaïa in the second leg of the round of 16. The Egyptian goalkeeper looks to continue his impressive performance with Zamalek before the injury to push the White Knights towards the African glory.