CAF Champions League: Rwandan Army coach Abdel Rahim Taleb confident of victory against Zamalek

Rwandan Army head coach Abdel Rahim Taleb has expressed confidence in his side’s ability to defeat Egyptian giants Zamalek in the upcoming CAF Champions League clash.

In a much-anticipated encounter, Rwandan Army will take on the Egyptian football powerhouse in the first leg of the Champions League second preliminary round on October 16.

And according to Taleb, his team are fully prepared for the challenge, revealing that they have worked on different tactical approaches to counter Zamalek and give themselves a strong chance of securing victory in front of their home supporters.

“Our focus was on learning and improving performance in preparation for the Zamalek match. We played in two different styles that suit what we expect to face against the Egyptian team,” Taleb said in comments reported by Rwandan newspaper IGIHE.

The Rwandan coach added that his players were ready for the encounter and would be counting on the backing of their supporters to produce a positive performance against the Egyptian side.

“We are now fully prepared and ready. The fans will come to support us and we will perform well. We have 24 players ready for the next match, and we will do our best, and with God’s help we will achieve victory,” he added.

The comments underline Rwandan Army’s determination to make home advantage count against one of Africa’s most recognisable clubs. Taleb and his technical team have been working to prepare their players for the tactical demands of facing Zamalek, with the coach indicating that his side have explored two different systems ahead of the contest.

Rwandan Army will hope their preparations translate into a strong performance when they host the Cairo-based club on October 16. A victory would give the Rwandan champions an important advantage ahead of the return leg, which is scheduled to take place at Cairo International Stadium on October 24.

However, Zamalek will travel to Rwanda with confidence after navigating the previous qualifying round against AS Port of Djibouti. The Egyptian side won the first leg 2-1 before completing the job with a convincing 4-0 victory in the return fixture.

Their progress highlights the challenge awaiting Rwandan Army, who must produce an organised and disciplined display to contain Zamalek and take their opportunities in front of goal.

The Rwandan champions also arrive at this stage having successfully negotiated their previous assignment against Congolese side Eagles, securing a 3-1 aggregate victory to book their place in the second preliminary round.

With both teams seeking to advance to the next stage of Africa’s premier club competition, the first leg is expected to play a crucial role in determining the direction of the tie.

Taleb, meanwhile, remains optimistic that his players can rise to the occasion and deliver the victory he has promised. His side will aim to capitalise on the home crowd’s support and establish a valuable lead before travelling to Cairo for what could be a decisive second leg.