Zamalek Football Club continues to demonstrate its prowess on the pitch, recently securing a decisive 2-0 victory against Ittihad of Alexandria during their last match. The win not only boosted their confidence but also reinforced their position near the top of the Egyptian Premier League, where they are currently tied with reigning champions Ahly.
The match, held at the Cairo International Stadium, showcased Zamalek's strength as Nasser Mansi and Nabil Emad found the back of the net, sealing the victory for the Whites. Coach Gross, who is on his second tenure with the club, is optimistic about this season. After being held to draws against Ceramica Cleopatra and Talae El-Geish, he hopes this victory will be the turning point they need to dominate the league.
Gross is counting on his star players, particularly winger Ahmed ‘Zizo’ Sayed and striker Sief Jaziri, to maintain their form and drive the team forward. The team features quality players like Ahmed Fatouh and Omar Gaber, whose contributions are pivotal to Zamalek's current success. "We need everyone to perform at their best to stay competitive," Gross remarked.
Conversely, Ittihad of Alexandria, coached by Nikodimos Papavasiliou, faced several challenges during the match. With key players missing due to injuries, including first-choice goalkeeper El-Mahdi Soliman and midfielder Hicham Adel, the team struggled to keep pace with Zamalek. Despite their earlier success this season, having won three of their initial games, they now find themselves without victory for the last four matches. This recent slump has left them positioned seventh on the league table with only nine points.
Ittihad aimed to boost morale following their unfortunate run, relying on players like Fadi Farid and Ivorian Emmanuel Apeh to spearhead their efforts to regain winning momentum. Yet, injuries have taken their toll, leaving the team desperately fumbling for solutions on the field. "We need to regroup and come back stronger," Papavasiliou stated post-match, echoing the sentiments of urgency within the club.
Attention has also turned to off-field matters, particularly related to player transfers. Ayman Al-Sheriei, president of Enppi club, recently addressed rumors surrounding the loan of Ziad Kamal to Zamalek. He denied any agreement to cut short Kamal's loan deal, explaining, "Zamalek spoke to me before the start of the season, there was a question about the possibility of cutting off Ziad’s loan and returning him to Enppi..." He noted the regulations surrounding such transfers do not currently allow for this, as there is no clause enabling the early termination of the loan.
Al-Sheriei emphasized Kamal's potential, mentioning, “Ziad Kamal is a distinguished player, and time will prove it, as he may need some psychological treatment.” This insight sheds light on the pressures players face and the careful management required to keep their spirits high.
Looking forward, Al-Sheriei's Enppi team is preparing for their upcoming match against Al-Ahly, which adds another layer of significance to current events. He expressed determination and ambition, stating, “Enppi will play to win against Al-Ahmar.” This upcoming clash is anticipated not just for its competitive nature but also for the potential coaching strategies and player performances it will showcase.
With the league shaping up to be highly competitive this season, Zamalek will need to capitalize on their recent momentum, focusing on fine-tuning their performance and sustaining their position at the top. Fans eagerly await the next matches, hopeful for continued success and thrilling displays of football from their beloved team.