Zamalek reveal why Ahmed Khodary was substituted against AS Port

Zamalek substituted Ahmed Khodary during their 2-1 CAF Champions League victory over AS Port because the midfielder was feeling fatigue in his hamstring, rather than because of the misplaced pass that preceded the Djibouti side’s goal.

Khodary was replaced by Mohamed Ibrahim after Zamalek conceded, prompting speculation that head coach Motamed Gamal had taken the player off because of his involvement in the goal.

However, a source within Zamalek told FilGoal.com that the substitution had been planned before AS Port scored.

“Motamed Gamal did not decide to substitute Ahmed Khodary in the match against AS Port because of his misplaced pass in the move for the goal the team conceded, but because the player felt fatigue in his hamstring,” the source said.

The source added: “Mohamed Ibrahim’s introduction in place of Khodary had been planned from the outset, before the goal was conceded, after the player felt the injury.”

Zamalek went on to secure a 2-1 win in the first leg of the preliminary round of the CAF Champions League.

Mohamed Shehata and Chico Banza scored for the Egyptian club, while Mehdi Hussein was on target for AS Port.

The result gave Zamalek an advantage to take into the next stage of the qualifying campaign, although AS Port’s goal means the tie remains live ahead of the return meeting.

The match was Zamalek’s first appearance in the CAF Champions League since their final fixture against Al Merrikh of Sudan in the 2023 edition of the competition.

Zamalek are aiming to progress into the last 32, where the winners of their tie against AS Port will face the winners of the contest between Congolese club Eagles and Rwanda’s Army.

Khodary’s withdrawal therefore came as a precaution related to his physical condition, rather than as a disciplinary or tactical reaction to the error that led to AS Port’s goal.

Gamal responded by bringing on Mohamed Ibrahim, who had already been expected to enter the game before the Djibouti side levelled the contest. Despite conceding, Zamalek recovered to win the first leg through goals from Shehata and Chico Banza.

The victory puts Zamalek in control of the tie, with qualification for the next round to be decided over the two matches. Their potential opponents will be determined by the outcome of the meeting between Eagles and Army.