CAF Confederation Cup: Moataz Gamal confident as Zamalek target strong first-leg result against USM Alger

Zamalek head coach Moataz Gamal has expressed confidence ahead of the CAF Confederation Cup final first leg against USM Alger, stressing his side’s readiness, experience, and determination to secure a positive result away from home.

The Egyptian giants will face the Algerian side on Saturday at 7:00 GMT at the July 5 Stadium, before hosting the return leg on May 16 at Cairo International Stadium.

Speaking ahead of the showdown, Gamal acknowledged the scale of the challenge but insisted Zamalek are well prepared for the occasion.

“The match against USM Alger is a big one against a strong opponent, and the final will be played over two legs, the first in Algeria and the second in Egypt. We are ready for the match and we look forward to achieving a positive result in the first leg before playing the return match in front of our fans,” he said.

Gamal was quick to underline his respect for the Algerian club while reiterating his team’s ambition to control the tie early.

“Zamalek respects any opponent it faces, and every match has its own circumstances and requirements. Our goal is to achieve a positive result in the first leg, and I hope that we can repeat the scenario of the first leg against CR Belouizdad in the semi-final and achieve victory away from home,” he added.

He also praised USM Alger’s quality and organisation, warning against complacency despite Zamalek’s pedigree in continental competitions.

“The USM Alger team is a strong competitor and has a respectable technical staff, in addition to a distinguished group of players, but Zamalek wants to achieve a positive result that will make the team’s task easier in the return match,” Gamal noted.

Highlighting his squad’s mentality, the Zamalek coach stressed the importance of experience in navigating African competitions.

“Zamalek has experience in African championships, and we have separated the league matches and the competition for the title from the Confederation Cup final. Our focus is currently on the African championship. I consider myself lucky to have a large number of leaders in the team, and I hope to win the Confederation Cup title before returning to compete for the league,” he said.

Gamal also revealed details of the team’s travel and preparation, expressing gratitude for the hospitality received in Algeria.

“After finishing the Smouha match in the league, we preferred to come to Algeria a few hours after the local match, as it is our second home. I thank everyone for the warm welcome and hospitality, and we were keen to prepare for the next match against USM Alger,” he explained.

Looking ahead to the atmosphere at the July 5 Stadium, he said Zamalek are no strangers to high-pressure environments.

“Zamalek has been through similar situations, the last of which was in the semi-finals. We take advantage of the fans’ presence and turn it into positive motivations for the team in order to achieve a positive result. We hope that luck will be on our side in tomorrow’s match to make Zamalek fans happy before playing the return match in Cairo,” he said.

He also downplayed concerns over the venue, describing it as suitable for his team’s playing style.

“This is not the first time that Zamalek will play matches at the 5 July Stadium, which is similar to Cairo International Stadium. The pitch is good and will help us implement our plans, which is good for us. I hope that we will be successful and achieve a positive result,” he concluded.

With both teams chasing continental glory, the first leg in Algiers is expected to set the tone for a tightly contested final.