The Clubs Association Egyptian Cup is scheduled to take place from January 2nd to February 11th, 2024, coinciding with the Africa Cup of Nations 2023.
In an official statement, Zamalek explained that the decision to decline participation in the tournament is due to the difficulty in assembling a team capable of competing in the Cup.
The first team is currently engaged in a training camp in the United Arab Emirates, where they will also participate in the Abu Dhabi Friendly Tournament.
The entire squad, along with distinguished players from the youth sector, is expected to travel for these engagements.
It’s worth noting that Al Ahly had previously expressed a similar apology for the second consecutive year, citing team fatigue and the congestion of matches since the start of the current season.
Zamalek will resume training next Thursday under the guidance of coach Moatamad Gamal.
This decision follows a one-week break granted to the players after their return from Angola, where they faced Sagrada in the CAF Confederation Cup.
The withdrawal of both Cairo giants, Al Ahly and Zamalek, from the Clubs Association Cup raises questions about the scheduling challenges and physical demands faced by the top football clubs in Egypt, impacting their participation in domestic competitions.
