Zamalek edge past Egypt Insurance as Moaatamed Gamal warns team must improve

Zamalek manager Moaatamed Gamal admitted he was unhappy with his players’ performance despite their 3-2 victory over Egypt Insurance, which secured their place in the last 16 of the Egypt Cup.

Zamalek took the lead through Mohamed Shehata before Ahmed Sherif and Adam Kaied also found the net at Cairo International Stadium. Egypt Insurance responded with goals from Guinean forward Daouda Camara and Hisham Yehia, but Zamalek held on to progress from the round of 32.

Speaking at a news conference after the match, Gamal said the result reflected the unpredictable nature of cup football.

“I know very well that this is the nature of cup matches, which always produce surprises,” he said. “That also happened last season when big teams lost to sides playing in the second division.”

Gamal said Zamalek had lacked concentration during the match but believed there was little prospect of the team producing a worse display.

“We were not at our best in terms of focus during the game,” he added. “The team will not appear in a worse way than it did today, especially given the absences we are dealing with.”

Zamalek were without a number of players because of injuries, with Gamal highlighting the impact of those missing in attacking areas.

“We tried to deal with the current situation while a large number of players were absent through injury, particularly in the attacking third,” he said. “Once the international break is over, the situation will be different.”

The victory means Zamalek have advanced to the last 16, where they will face Eastern Company. Eastern Company progressed after beating Proxy 3-2, the same scoreline recorded in Zamalek’s win.

Gamal also used his post-match comments to credit the wider Zamalek set-up for any individual recognition he receives.

“All the individual awards for which I am nominated or which I win come as a result of the efforts of the players, the coaching staff and Zamalek’s supporters,” he said. “They are the main reason for them, and no award belongs to me alone.”