Ahmed Suleiman says Zamalek boss Moataz Gamal faces ‘unnatural pressure’

Zamalek board member Ahmed Suleiman says head coach Moataz Gamal is being subjected to “unnatural pressure” from outside the club, with repeated criticism directed at both the manager and his players.

His comments came after Zamalek secured a 1-0 victory over the Rwandan Army in the first leg of their second preliminary-round tie.

“Zamalek are facing unnatural pressure from something external that I do not know about,” Suleiman told MBC Masr 2. “There are successive campaigns against Moataz Gamal, whether he wins or loses, with people questioning him and the players.”

He said the squad remained competitive despite the criticism surrounding the team.

“The core of the team is not bad, but there are unnatural campaigns from outside,” added Suleiman. “Moataz felt tired and was attacked. He travelled at the last minute and was also criticised.”

Suleiman questioned why Gamal was being targeted after guiding Zamalek to the Egyptian league title last season.

“Zamalek are not a bad team considering all the noise around them,” he said. “Why are we attacking a manager who won the league title last season? There are people pushing for attacks on the team and the head coach and trying to frustrate them. We are still only in the first five rounds of the season.”

Suleiman said he was satisfied with Zamalek’s performances in the current circumstances, aside from their match against Al Ahly.

“I am satisfied with the team’s level at the moment given the current conditions, apart from the Al Ahly match,” he said. “In the derby, we were close to drawing.”

He also criticised the handling of the penalty decisions in that match, saying he was speaking as an analyst rather than in his capacity as a club official.

“I am talking as an analyst, not as an official,” said Suleiman. “The penalties in the derby were a subject of debate among the referees. If we were at the World Cup, would every referee manage their match according to the standards of their own league?”

He concluded: “Zamalek deserved two penalties for Chico Banza against Al Ahly.”

Zamalek won the first leg against the Rwandan Army through a late goal from Nasser Mansi, who scored in the 90th minute after a fine pass from Icho.

It was Mansi’s second goal of the season, following his goal in the first preliminary round of the CAF Champions League against Djibouti club and champions AS Port.

The striker has scored eight goals in African competitions overall: five in the CAF Champions League, two in the CAF Confederation Cup and one in the CAF Super Cup.

Zamalek will qualify for the group stage with a win or a draw in the return fixture, which is scheduled for Saturday, 24 October at Cairo Stadium.

The club are appearing in the CAF Champions League for the first time after a three-season absence.