Zamalek deny Mohamed Awad refused substitute role against AS Port

Zamalek have denied reports that goalkeeper Mohamed Awad refused to sit on the bench during their African Champions League meeting with Djibouti side AS Port.

Reports had suggested Awad objected to being named as the substitute for Mohamed Sobhi, who started the match after first-choice goalkeeper Mehdi Soliman was left out of the squad.

However, a source at Zamalek told FilGoal.com: “There is no truth to what was reported about Mohamed Awad refusing the idea of sitting as a substitute for Mohamed Sobhi in yesterday’s match against Djibouti champions AS Port.”

The source added that the coaching staff, led by Motamed Gamal, had already informed both Soliman and Awad that they would not be included in the matchday squad before the team entered its training camp.

“Motamed Gamal’s coaching staff had informed Mehdi Soliman and Awad that they would be left out of the team’s squad for the match before joining the camp,” the source said.

The source also explained that Zamalek had used the fixture as an opportunity to rotate their goalkeepers, while giving young goalkeeper Omar Abdelaziz a place in the squad.

“The match was a good opportunity to rotate between the goalkeepers so that Mohamed Sobhi could play after his absence, and it was also an opportunity for the promising Omar Abdelaziz to be included in the matchday squad,” the source said.

“Awad and Mehdi accepted the decision, as shown by their presence at Cairo International Stadium to support the team.”

Zamalek began their African Champions League campaign with a 2-1 victory over AS Port in the first leg of the preliminary round.

Mohamed Shehata and Chico Banza scored for the Egyptian side, while Mehdi Hussein found the net for AS Port.

The match was Zamalek’s first in the African Champions League since their final fixture against Sudanese club Al Merrikh in the 2023 edition of the competition.

Zamalek will face either Congolese side Eagles or Rwandan club APR FC in the round of 32 if they progress against AS Port. The second-round pairing will be decided by the outcome of the tie between Eagles and APR FC.

The result gives Zamalek a one-goal advantage heading into the return fixture, while the club has sought to clarify that no disagreement involving Awad, Sobhi or the coaching staff took place during the first-leg match.