Zamalek grant players a day off after Suez Petrojet victory

Zamalek manager Moatamed Gamal has given his players a day away from collective training after their 2-1 victory over Suez Petrojet in the Egyptian Premier League.

The decision comes as Zamalek continue their winning run in the competition. They secured another three points in the third round with a narrow victory over Suez Petrojet, scoring twice before their opponents found one goal in reply.

Zamalek’s players were not required to attend team training on Tuesday. The squad will return to work on Wednesday as preparations begin for the club’s opening match in the CAF Champions League.

Their first continental fixture will be against Port, the Djibouti champions. The game is scheduled to be played as the first leg of the preliminary first round of the competition.

Zamalek have reached an agreement with Port to stage both matches in Cairo. The arrangement means the two sides will meet twice in the Egyptian capital as they compete for a place in the next stage of the tournament.

The winner of the tie will progress to the second preliminary round, where they will face the team that comes through the meeting between APR FC of Rwanda and Congolese club Eagles. That stage leads towards qualification for the group phase of the CAF Champions League.

The victory over Suez Petrojet lifted Zamalek to seven points in the Egyptian Premier League table. They are currently second in the standings following the result.

Suez Petrojet, meanwhile, are still waiting for their first win of the campaign. Their opening results have included defeats by Tala’ea El Gaish and Zamalek, as well as a draw against Petroleum Asyut.

That run has left Suez Petrojet 15th in the table with one point. Their defeat by Zamalek extended a difficult start to the league season, while Zamalek’s latest success maintained their position near the top before their attention turns to continental football.

For Gamal’s side, Wednesday’s return to training will mark the beginning of a shift in focus from domestic competition to their first CAF Champions League assignment. The club will face Port in the preliminary first round, with the outcome of the two-match tie determining whether they continue their campaign towards the group stage.

Zamalek’s 2-1 result ensured they entered that preparation period with momentum. The rest day granted by Gamal follows the team’s latest league victory, with the squad due back together on Wednesday ahead of the first meeting with the Djibouti champions.