Zamalek recall Mohamed Sobhi as Chico Banza and Hossam Ashraf lead attack against AS Port

Zamalek coach Moataz Gamal has named Mohamed Sobhi in goal for the first time since last season as his side prepare to face Djibouti’s AS Port in the preliminary round of the CAF Champions League.

The match is due to take place shortly, with Zamalek beginning their campaign against the Djibouti champions.

Sobhi returns to the starting line-up after his last appearance for the club in the second leg of their CAF Confederation Cup quarter-final against Otoho during the previous season. He was sent off in that match, with Seifeddine Jaziri taking over in goal and guarding Zamalek’s net for the remainder of the game.

Ahmed Khodari has been selected at left-back for the meeting with AS Port.

Ahmed Fattouh is absent after Gamal decided to rest him, with the player not considered fully ready for the fixture. Zamalek said Fattouh had been determined to remain with his team-mates in the squad’s training camp ahead of the match, despite having trained only once before the game because of illness.

Zamalek’s starting XI is:

Goalkeeper: Mohamed Sobhi

Defenders: Ahmed Khodari, Mahmoud Hamdy El Wensh, Mohamed Ismail, Omar Gaber

Midfielders: Mohamed Shehata, Ahmed Rabee, Adam Kaied

Forwards: Chico Banza, Hossam Ashraf, Ahmed Abdel Rahim “Isho”

Fattouh is one of several players unavailable to Zamalek. His absence is due to a lack of match readiness, while Mahmoud Bentayg is suspended and Mohamed El Sayed is missing through injury.

Mohamed Awad and El Mahdy Soliman have also been left out for technical reasons.

The tie represents Zamalek’s opening assignment in the CAF Champions League preliminary stage. Their progress will determine the next challenge in the competition: the winner of the Zamalek versus AS Port tie will meet the winner of the match between Congolese side Eagles and Rwanda’s Army in the round of 32.

The return of Sobhi is the most notable change in goal for Gamal’s side, following the goalkeeper’s dismissal in the previous season’s Confederation Cup quarter-final second leg. In attack, Chico Banza and Hossam Ashraf have been chosen to lead the line, with Ahmed Abdel Rahim “Isho” completing the front three.

Zamalek will therefore begin their continental campaign with a reshaped team, including Khodari at left-back and Sobhi back between the posts, while Fattouh watches from the sidelines after his illness and limited preparation.