Zamalek explain Chico Banza’s absence for Misr Insurance Egypt Cup clash

Zamalek football director Abdel Nasser Mohamed has explained the reason behind Angolan winger Chico Banza’s absence from the club’s squad for their Egypt Cup encounter against Misr Insurance.

The Cairo giants are scheduled to host Misr Insurance at Cairo International Stadium on Friday at 8:00 pm as they begin their campaign in the round of 32 of the Egypt Cup.

Banza’s omission from the squad had raised questions among supporters, particularly given his importance to the team’s attacking options. However, Mohamed has clarified that the decision was purely related to squad management, insisting that the Angolan international was given time to rest.

Speaking to the Zamalek Media Centre, the football director explained that head coach Moataz Gamal decided to hand the winger a rest for the cup fixture as compensation for the additional workload he carried in the club’s previous matches.

According to Mohamed, several regular players were rested during Zamalek’s previous encounter against Wadi Degla in the Egypt Capital Cup. Banza, however, was an exception because the technical team considered his involvement necessary for that particular fixture.

The winger was therefore required to feature against Wadi Degla despite the decision to give other regular members of the squad a break.

Mohamed explained that the technical team subsequently decided to leave Banza out of the Misr Insurance encounter to ensure he received the rest he had missed during the previous match.

He also disclosed that the 26-year-old has travelled to Angola to join his national team ahead of their upcoming international assignments.

Banza is expected to represent Angola in their two matches against South Sudan as part of the qualifying campaign for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Zamalek official further confirmed that the player is scheduled to return to Cairo on November 20, following the international commitments, in accordance with an agreement reached between the club and the player.

His absence from Friday’s Egypt Cup fixture is therefore not connected to an injury or disciplinary issue, but rather a planned rest period ahead of his international duties.

Zamalek will hope to navigate the Misr Insurance encounter successfully as they begin their pursuit of the Egypt Cup, while the technical team will also be keen to have Banza return in good condition after the international break.