Zamalek make two changes for Petrojet match as Abdullah El Said starts on bench

Zamalek manager Moataz Gamal has named his starting XI for the Egyptian Premier League meeting with Petrojet, making two changes from the side that began their previous match.

The game, which is due to take place shortly, is the third-round fixture between the teams in this season’s competition. Ahmed Rabie and Hossam Ashraf have been brought into the starting line-up, replacing Ahmed Fattouh and Nasser Mansi.

Fattouh is unavailable because of illness, while Abdullah El Said is among the substitutes for the first time this season.

Zamalek’s team is:

Goalkeeper: Mehdi Soliman.

Defenders: Mahmoud Bentayg, Mahmoud Hamdy El Wensh, Mohamed Ismail and Omar Gaber.

Midfielders: Mohamed Shehata, Ahmed Rabie and Adam Kaied.

Forwards: Chico Banza, Hossam Ashraf and Oday Al-Dabbagh.

El Said is joined on the bench by Mohamed Awad, Mostafa El Zanzary, Mohamed Ibrahim, Ahmed Khodary, Mohamed El Sayed, Ahmed Abdel Rahim “Isho”, Ahmed Sherif and Nasser Mansi.

The selection means Zamalek will begin the match with El Said, one of the experienced players in the squad, among the substitutes rather than in the starting side. Rabie and Hossam Ashraf are the two players introduced to the team as Gamal changes the line-up for the third league match of the campaign.

Zamalek currently sit fifth in the Egyptian Premier League with four points from their opening two matches. They began their campaign with a goalless draw against Al Ittihad Alexandria before recording a 3-0 victory over National Bank of Egypt.

Petrojet are 14th in the table ahead of the fixture. Their season started with a 1-1 draw against Petrol Asyut, but they were beaten 3-2 by Tala’ea El Gaish in the second round.

The match therefore gives Zamalek the opportunity to build on their win over National Bank of Egypt, while Petrojet will be seeking their first victory of the season after taking one point from their opening two games.

With Fattouh absent through illness and Mansi also moving to the substitutes’ bench, Gamal has opted for a different combination in defence, midfield and attack. The starting side includes Chico Banza and Oday Al-Dabbagh in the forward line alongside Hossam Ashraf, while El Said provides an experienced option among the replacements should he be called upon during the match.