Zamalek sweat over fitness of Juan Bezerra ahead of decisive Belouizdad clash

Zamalek are sweating over the fitness of star midfielder Juan Bezerra ahead of their decisive CAF Confederation Cup return clash against CR Belouizdad.

The Egyptian giants will host their Algerian counterparts, CR Belouizdad, in the second leg of the Confederation Cup semi-final, scheduled for Friday at Cairo International Stadium.

Zamalek head into the return leg with a slender advantage after managing a narrow away win over Belouizdad last weekend.

Bezerra, who emerged as the hero in the first leg clash is racing against time to be fit for crucial second leg tie in Egypt on Friday.

The Brazilian midfielder is said to be carrying a muscle strain, and while the injury is not considered serious, the coaching team is leaning toward caution given the importance of the fixture and the need to avoid aggravating the issue.

The final decision is expected to be taken close to matchday, but current indications suggest he may either start on the bench or be left out of the squad entirely.

Zamalek are already managing additional fitness concerns, with Amr Nasser ruled out due to a hamstring injury, further limiting attacking options ahead of the high-pressure encounter.

With a place in the final at stake, the Egyptian giants are expected to prioritize fitness and tactical stability as they look to navigate a potentially decisive night in Cairo.