Egypt’s Zamalek will host Algerian NA Hussein Dey in a tough match today at Borg El Arab Stadium in the second round of the group stage of the CAF Confederations Cup.
Zamalek began its African campaign with 7-2 aggregate victory over AS CotonTchad in the round of 32 to qualify to the playoffs where they faced Ittihad Tanger of Morocco and won 3-1 on aggregate.
The tournament’s draw placed Zamalek in Group D along with NA Hussein Dey, Atlético Petróleos de Luanda of Angola, and Gor Mahia of Kenya.
The white team seeks to win today to compensate their 2-4 loss in the first round to Gor Mahia, especially as the game will be held home in the presence of Zamalek’s fans.
On the other hand, NA Hussein Dey began its campaign in the CAF Confederation Cup from the round of 64, beating Green Eagles of Zambia 2-1 on aggregate, then Al Ahli Tripoli in the round of 32 and walked victorious 3-2. The Algerian team won 2-1 over Atlético Petróleos de Luanda in their first game in Group D.
Zamalek will not miss any player in the match whether for injury or suspension.
Zamalek’s Swiss coach Christian Gross will begin the game with the team’s regular formation, placing the due Mahmoud Alaa and Mohamed Abdelghani as defensive midfielders. The White Knight’s forward line will be led by Omar Al-Saeed and behind the trio Kahraba, Obama, and Ibrahim Hassan.
It is expected that Zamalek’s line-up will include Mahmoud Genesh (goalkeeper), Abdullah Gomaa, Mahmoud Alaa, Mohamed Abdelghani, Hamdi Nagguez, Tarek Hamed, Ferjani Sassi, Mahmoud Kahraba, Youssef Obama, Ibrahim Hassan, and Omar Al-Saeed or Khalid Boutaïb.
As for NA Hussein Dey, Algerian coach Meziane Ighil will begin the game in his regular formation, pushing Naoufel Khacef and Abdelghani Khiat in defence and rely on Abderrahmane Yousfi and Ahmed Gasmi to lead the forward line.
