Caf Champions League: Zamalek in Nairobi ahead of first leg clash with Tusker

November 27, 2020 Al Ahly's Afsha and Al Marwan Mohsen celebrate after winning the final REUTERS

Egyptian champions Zamalek SC arrived in Nairobi on Tuesday ahead of their first-round Caf Champions League clash against Tusker on Saturday.

Led by their talisman Achraf Bencharki who scored 15 goals in their title winning season, Zamalek would be hoping to make light work of local champions Tusker when they face off at the Nyayo National Stadium behind closed doors from 4pm (East African Time).

The 24-member team have started training today (Wednesday) at Utalii Grounds.

Apart from Moroccan international Bencharki, other stars in the Zamalek team are Egypt left back Abdalla Goma, midfielder Mohammed Shikabala, striker Seif Jaziri and new Ivorian acquisition Razzaq Sisih.

The last time Zamalek were in Kenya was back in 2019 when they lost 4-2 to Gor Mahia in the Caf Confederations Cup group stage clash. However, the Egyptians progressed forward in the competition after winning the return leg 4-0 in Cairo.

Tusker edged out Arta Solar 7 of Djibouti 4-1 on aggregate to reach the first round while Zamalek got a bye in the preliminary round.

Both teams qualified for the Caf Champions League after winning their respective local leagues. Zamalek won the Egyptian crown after collecting 80 points from 34 matches while Tusker won the Kenyan title after finishing top with 65 points from 34 matches.

Zamalek Squad

Goalkeepers

Mohamed Gabal, Mohamed Awaad

Defenders

Mahmoud Alaa, Mohammed Elwenesh, Hazem Emam, Abdallah Goma, Ahmed Fatoo, Ahmed Zaky, Hamza Mathlouthi, Mohammed Abdelshafy, Habd Elmeged

Midfielders

Tarek Hamed, Emam Ashour, Mohammed Abdelaziz, Mohamed Rouqa, Hamdy Alaa, Eslam Gaber, Youssef Obama and Ahmed Sayed, Mahmoud Abdelrazek Fadlallah and Achraf Bencharki

Strikers

 Seif Jaziri, Saif Gaagar and Abdullah Nimar