Zamalek coach explains CAF Confederation Cup final defeat to USM Alger

Zamalek head coach Moataz Gamal has explained the reasons behind his side’s defeat to USM Alger in the CAF Confederation Cup final, while also defending his decision regarding midfielder Mohamed Shehata during the decisive penalty shootout.

Zamalek defeated the Algerian side 1-0 in the second leg on Saturday evening to level the aggregate score after losing the first leg by the same result. However, the Egyptian giants eventually fell 8-7 in the penalty shootout, with Shehata missing the decisive kick.

Speaking during the post-match press conference, Gamal admitted that his side failed to perform at the expected level across both matches.

“Zamalek was not at its best today,” the coach stated.

“The team did not deliver the performance expected of it over the two matches,” he continued, while pointing to several factors that affected the players’ performance and cohesion during crucial moments of the final.

Gamal praised the efforts of his squad despite the painful outcome, but acknowledged that the team lacked sharpness both technically and physically.

“The players made a great effort despite the bad luck, but we were not at our peak technically and physically, and that contributed to not deciding the title before the penalty kicks,” he explained.

The Egyptian tactician stressed that penalty shootouts often come down to composure and fortune, while taking full responsibility for the defeat.

“Penalty shootouts are a separate game that depends on focus and luck,” he said, adding that he remains proud of the players for their overall campaign in Africa.

Gamal also clarified the order of penalty takers and why Shehata was selected for the final attempt despite the immense pressure surrounding the moment.

“All the players had taken kicks, and only Shehata and the young right-back Mohamed Ibrahim remained, who could not have been assigned this kick in the presence of Shehata,” he explained, stressing that the midfielder was not originally placed among the first penalty takers.

Shehata has endured an emotionally difficult period after the passing of his father last week, just hours before the first leg of the final.

The Zamalek coach urged supporters and players to use the disappointment as motivation heading into the remainder of the domestic season.

He insisted the team still possesses the quality needed to compensate for the African setback by winning the Egyptian League title.

Gamal added that the coaching staff will work on correcting the mistakes exposed during the final while learning valuable lessons ahead of future competitions.

Zamalek SC are now preparing for their final Egyptian League match against Ceramica Cleopatra FC next Wednesday as they aim to secure the domestic title.