Abu Qir Fertilizers encouraged by progress despite Zamalek defeat

Abu Qir Fertilizers’ football director Ahmed Nabil says the club are pleased with the improvement in their performance despite their 2-0 defeat by Zamalek, although he admitted the early league schedule had been particularly demanding.

The match, played at Cairo International Stadium in the fourth round, saw Zamalek claim victory without conceding for the third time in the league this season.

Zamalek moved to 10 points and temporarily took top spot in the table, while Abu Qir Fertilizers remain 15th with three points.

Speaking to Modern Sport, Nabil said: “Thank God for the performance and the result against Zamalek despite the defeat. Anyone who has followed us since the beginning of the league will notice the improvement in our performance.”

Abu Qir Fertilizers are still building a new squad, with several players appearing together for the first time. Nabil believes that has made their opening fixtures even more difficult.

“We are putting together a new group of players who are playing alongside each other for the first time,” he said. “But the schedule has been somewhat harsh on us, with Pyramids, Zamalek and Al Ahly in our first five matches.”

Despite the results, Nabil said there was confidence within the club that the team could move beyond the difficult opening phase.

“We are reassured about the coming period because of the improvement in our performances and we believe we can get through this stage,” he added.

Nabil also highlighted the importance of preparing players mentally before facing leading sides such as Zamalek, Al Ahly and Pyramids.

“Matches against teams such as Zamalek, Al Ahly and Pyramids require the players to be prepared psychologically before the game,” he said.

“The team’s character really changed in the second half, and everyone noticed Abu Qir’s control of the match. The evidence of that was Mehdi Suleiman receiving the man-of-the-match award.”

Zamalek’s greater experience ultimately proved decisive, according to Nabil, who also looked ahead to a significant fixture against Al Ahly.

“Zamalek’s experience decided the result,” he said. “The match against Al Ahly is important and a major one. We are preparing for it, and after that there will be an international break which we will try to use to improve the understanding between the players.”

Nabil finished by praising Ramez Milad, who has been with Abu Qir Fertilizers since their time in the Professional League.

“Ramez Milad is one of the hard-working players. He has been playing with us since the Professional League, and he is developing himself very well,” Nabil said. “He was also selected for the local-based national team last season.”

Zamalek’s next match is away against Ghazl El Mahalla in the fifth round on Wednesday.

The league will then pause after the fifth round because of the international break. The sixth round will feature the derby between Al Ahly and Zamalek.