Morocco defender Mahmoud Bentayg ruled out of Zamalek’s CAF Champions League clash with Rwandan Army

Moroccan defender Mahmoud Bentayg has been ruled out of Zamalek’s CAF Champions League encounter against Rwanda’s Army after sustaining a hamstring injury.

The left-back was omitted from Zamalek’s squad for Friday’s first-leg meeting in the round of 32 of the 2026/27 CAF Champions League after medical examinations confirmed a tear in his hamstring.

Bentayg is expected to spend between 21 days and four weeks on the sidelines, dealing a setback to the Egyptian giants as they prepare for the two-legged encounter.

Head coach Moataz Gamal has named a squad featuring three goalkeepers, eight defenders, nine midfielders and four forwards for the trip to Rwanda.

Zamalek will travel to Rwanda for the first leg on October 16 before hosting Army in the return fixture at Cairo International Stadium on October 24.

The Egyptian side will be eager to secure a positive result away from home to strengthen their chances of advancing to the next round.

The squad announcement comes after Zamalek suffered a 2–0 defeat to bitter rivals Al Ahly in the Cairo derby on Sunday. Gamal will be hoping his players can respond positively in continental competition, despite Bentayg’s absence.

The Moroccan defender will now focus on his recovery as Zamalek prepare for the important African assignment

Zamalek squad

Goalkeepers: Al-Mahdi Suleiman, Mohamed Awad, Mohamed Sobhi.

Defenders: Omar Gaber, Mohamed Farag, Mahmoud Hamdi “El Wensh”, Mohamed Ismail, Mostafa El Zenary, Ahmed Hossam, Ahmed Fatouh, Ahmed Khodary.

Midfielders: Mohamed Shehata, Ahmed Rabie, Mahmoud Jihad, Ahmed Abdel Rahim “Esho”, Adam Kayed, Abdullah Al-Saeed, Chico Banza, Ahmed Al-Jafali, Mohamed Hamad.

Forwards: Hossam Ashraf, Nasser Mansi, Ahmed Sherif, Uday Al-Dabbagh.