Zamalek coach Moataz Gamal set to reach Rwanda on match day after surgery

Zamalek head coach Moataz Gamal will delay his journey to Rwanda by a further 24 hours and is now due to join the squad on the morning of the CAF Champions League match against Rwandan Army.

Zamalek confirmed that Gamal underwent surgery on Monday after suffering from back pain. Following medical advice after the operation, his departure was postponed again.

The coach is now expected to travel on Thursday and arrive in Rwanda at dawn on Friday, the night of Zamalek’s first-leg meeting with Rwandan Army in the last 32 of the CAF Champions League.

The club had previously announced that Gamal would rest for 48 hours on medical instructions to allow him to recover fully from the procedure.

Zamalek visit Rwandan Army on Friday, 16 October, in the first leg of the competition’s last-32 tie.

Derby defeat adds to pressure

The Egyptian side’s continental preparations follow a 2-0 defeat by Al Ahly in the sixth round of the Egyptian Premier League.

Zamalek subsequently filed a complaint with the Egyptian Football Association against the refereeing committee, claiming the club had been treated unfairly during the derby. The club held the committee responsible for the defeat, arguing that its performance had been influenced by the campaign directed against it before the start of the season.

The result was Al Ahly’s 53rd league derby victory over Zamalek. Zamalek have won 29 meetings, while the two sides have drawn 51 times.

Al Ahly have now won four successive derbies against Zamalek in all competitions.

Gamal has yet to beat Al Ahly in either of his two matches as Zamalek manager. He lost 3-0 last season before suffering a 2-0 defeat in the latest meeting.

For Al Ahly manager Hussein Ammouta, the result marked a winning start to his first derby against Zamalek.

The victory moved Al Ahly temporarily to the top of the Egyptian Premier League with 16 points. Zamalek suffered their first defeat of the season but remained third on 13 points.