Zamalek agree to host both CAF Champions League legs against AS Port in Cairo

Egyptian giants Zamalek have reached an agreement with Djibouti’s AS Port to host both legs of their CAF Champions League preliminary-round tie in Cairo.

The arrangement means AS Port will play both matches in Egypt, despite being designated as the home side for the first leg.

The decision has been made because Djibouti currently has no stadium approved by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to host the fixture.

As a result, AS Port will travel to Egypt for both encounters, with Zamalek benefiting from familiar surroundings for the two-match tie.

The preliminary round is the first stage of the CAF Champions League, with clubs required to meet CAF’s stadium and organisational requirements before hosting matches in the competition.

For AS Port, the lack of an approved venue in Djibouti has forced the club to look for an alternative location, ultimately leading to the agreement with Zamalek to stage both fixtures in Cairo.

The unusual arrangement could give Zamalek a significant advantage, as the Egyptian side will not have to make an away trip for the first leg and will instead play both matches in conditions familiar to them.

AS Port, meanwhile, will effectively lose the traditional home advantage associated with the opening match of a two-legged tie.

Zamalek will be hoping to make the most of that advantage as they begin their campaign to reach the group stage of Africa’s premier club competition.

The Cairo-based club are among the continent’s most successful sides and have won the CAF Champions League five times, most recently in 2002.

Their experience at this level will make them strong favourites to progress, although AS Port will be determined to cause an upset despite the unusual circumstances surrounding the tie.

The agreement also highlights the continuing challenges faced by clubs from countries whose stadiums do not meet CAF’s requirements for hosting continental matches.

With AS Port unable to stage the fixture at home, the club will now have to prepare for two matches on Egyptian soil as they seek to keep their Champions League campaign alive.

Further details, including the confirmed dates, kick-off times and venue for both matches, are expected to be communicated ahead of the preliminary-round tie.