Ahmed Fattouh faces renewed Zamalek fan anger after Champions League qualification

Zamalek defender and captain Ahmed Fattouh was again targeted by the club’s supporters despite their progress to the group stage of the CAF Champions League.

Zamalek secured their place in the next round with a 1-0 victory over Rwandan Army in the second leg of their last-32 tie on Saturday. The result gave them the same aggregate score after they had won the first meeting by an identical margin.

However, after the final whistle, supporters inside Cairo International Stadium directed critical chants at Fattouh. The left-back reacted angrily to the hostility.

It was the second consecutive match in which Zamalek fans have attacked the Egypt international. Similar chants were heard during the previous game against Petrol Asyut in the Egyptian Premier League.

No clear reason has been given for the repeated criticism of Fattouh.

Zamalek return to Champions League group stage

Zamalek’s qualification marks their return to the CAF Champions League group stage after a three-year absence.

During that period, they competed in the CAF Confederation Cup, winning the competition once and finishing as runners-up on another occasion.

Their latest victory over Rwandan Army ensured they advanced from a tightly contested tie, although the focus after the match centred on the reaction towards their captain rather than the qualification itself.

Zamalek are currently third in the Egyptian Premier League with 16 points. They are five points behind leaders Pyramids and one point behind second-placed Al Ahly.