Zamalek SC will be without seven first-team players when they travel to face Ceramica Cleopatra on Friday in the fifth round of the Egyptian Premier League play-offs.
Midfielder Mahmoud Jihad remains sidelined due to a hamstring strain coupled with persistent lower back pain, ruling him out of Friday’s encounter.
Jihad is joined in the treatment room by fellow midfielder Mohamed Shehata, who is also recovering from a hamstring injury.
Defensive reinforcements will also be missing, with Ahmed Fatouh ruled out due to a torn calf muscle, while Ahmed Al-Jafali has been diagnosed with an anterior muscle issue.
Both players are currently undergoing rehabilitation and will not be available for selection.
The injury list grows longer with Tunisian international Hamza Mathlouthi, who continues his recovery from a cruciate ligament injury.
Mathlouthi has been out for an extended period and is not expected to return to full training any time soon.
In addition to the long list of injured players, Ahmed Hamdy will miss the game due to a lack of technical readiness.
His absence is not injury-related but stems from a lack of match fitness and tactical integration with the current squad.
Zamalek’s new head coach, Ayman El Ramadi, will face a challenging debut as he looks to navigate this critical fixture without a significant portion of his squad.
The match marks El Ramadi’s first official outing since his recent appointment and is seen as a crucial opportunity to set the tone for the remainder of the play-offs.
Kick-off is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. GMT on Friday, with Zamalek aiming to maintain their momentum despite the considerable absences.
The club’s depth will be tested against a Ceramica Cleopatra side that will look to exploit the White Knights’ depleted lineup.
As Zamalek continue their push in the league play-offs, managing player fitness and adapting tactically will be crucial for El Ramadi and his staff.
The absence of seven players presents both a challenge and an opportunity for fringe squad members to step up in a pivotal fixture.
