Zamalek captain Omar Gaber hails hard-fought first leg win over Belouizdad

Zamalek captain Omar Gaber has admitted his outfit faced a tough challenge in their narrow 1-0 victory over CR Belouizdad in the first leg of their CAF Confederation Cup semi-final in Algeria.

Despite securing a crucial away win, Gaber stressed that the encounter was far from straightforward against a strong Belouizdad side backed by their home supporters at the Nelson Mandela Stadium, Algiers.

Speaking through Zamalek’s media center, the skipper acknowledged the intensity of the contest and the difficulty of playing in such a hostile environment.

“The match was not easy and we faced a strong opponent in front of their fans,” Gaber said, underlining the pressure Zamalek endured throughout the encounter.

He added that the team’s primary objective was to secure a positive result ahead of the decisive return leg in Cairo.

“We sought to achieve a positive result in the first leg before playing the return match in Cairo,” he explained.

Gaber also emphasized the club’s winning mentality and history on the continental stage, reinforcing Zamalek’s ambition to go all the way.

“Zamalek is a great team, and throughout history it has always played to win championships and titles,” he concluded.

The match saw Juan Bezerra make a decisive contribution in the first half, scoring the only goal of the game and helping Zamalek control key phases with his movement and quick transitions.

However, his influence was cut short after he sustained a muscle injury, forcing an early tactical adjustment. Coach Moataz Gamal opted to replace him at halftime with Ahmed Sherif to manage the stuation and preserve the team’s structure.

Despite the setback, Zamalek maintained their defensive discipline to protect their slender

With the first leg complete, attention now shifts to the return fixture scheduled for April 17 at Cairo Stadium. Zamalek will carry a narrow lead into the second leg but know the tie remains finely balanced against a determined Belouizdad side.

A place in the Confederation Cup final is now within reach—but far from guaranteed—as both teams prepare for a high-stakes showdown in Cairo.