Zamalek plan five-day camp ahead of Egyptian Premier League clash with Al Ahly

Zamalek head coach Moataz Gamal has decided to take his squad into a five-day closed training camp before their Egyptian Premier League meeting with Al Ahly on 11 October.

The two Cairo clubs will face one another in the sixth round of the league, with Zamalek preparing for one of the season’s biggest fixtures.

According to FilGoal.com, Gamal has chosen to keep the team together in camp for five days as preparations intensify for the match.

Zamalek currently sit second in the Egyptian Premier League with 13 points, level with third-placed Al Ahly. The White Knights are above their rivals on goal difference, while Pyramids lead the table with a perfect 15 points.

Before the league derby, Zamalek will begin their Egypt Capital Cup campaign against ZED in the opening round of the group stage on 7 October.

The match against ZED comes four days before the meeting with Al Ahly and is expected to provide an opportunity for several younger players to feature.

FilGoal.com previously reported that there is a strong preference within Zamalek to give substantial playing time to youth-team players in the Egypt Capital Cup. The club has particularly identified players from the 2007 age group and the best performers from the 2009 group for possible involvement.

A number of those players have already been included in first-team training as part of the club’s preparations for the competition.

Zamalek have been drawn in Group A alongside ZED, Wadi Degla, Tala’ea El Gaish and Al Ittihad Al Sakandary.

The closed camp will therefore cover both of the club’s upcoming fixtures, beginning with the group-stage match against ZED before the league contest against Al Ahly on 11 October.