Al-Merrikh to cover Zamalek’s training-ground costs in Rwanda before African Champions League tie

Al-Merrikh have volunteered to pay for Zamalek’s training facilities in Rwanda ahead of their African Champions League meeting with APR FC.

Zamalek travel to face the Rwandan side at 19:00 on Friday at Amahoro Stadium in Kigali in the first leg of the competition’s second preliminary round.

Al-Merrikh offered to arrange and fund the training pitches without being asked to do so by Zamalek. The Sudanese club took the step as part of the twinning agreement between the two sides.

Al-Merrikh are currently active in the Rwandan league because of the ongoing events in Sudan.

The pre-match technical meeting confirmed the kits that both teams will wear. Zamalek, the Egyptian league champions, will use their alternative strip, consisting of a “black shirt and black shorts”, while their goalkeeper will wear yellow.

APR FC will play in their first-choice kit, featuring a “white-and-black shirt and white shorts”. Their goalkeeper will wear green.

MBC Masr 2 announced through its official social media accounts that it had secured the rights to broadcast the first leg of the round-of-32 tie.

The Confederation of African Football has appointed Abdul Mefire as referee for the match. Elvis Ngujogu and Rodrigue Mini will serve as assistant referees, while Max Isouma has been named fourth official.

Tanzanian official Khaled Abdallah Mohamed will act as the match commissioner, with Ugandan Ali Mulumba Tomusangi appointed as referee assessor.

Zamalek reached the round of 32 after defeating Port Djibouti 6-1 on aggregate. They won the first leg 2-1 before completing a 4-0 victory in the return fixture, with both matches played in Cairo.

APR FC secured their place in the same round by beating Eagles Congo 3-1 on aggregate.

The second leg between Zamalek and APR FC will take place on Saturday, 24 October, at Cairo Stadium.