Zamalek welcome ‘strongest group’ as Champions League title challenge begins

Zamalek representative Ahmed Shawky Salah has described the club’s CAF Champions League draw as the strongest group, but said the Egyptian side’s objective remains to win the competition.

Zamalek were drawn in Group B alongside Tanzanian champions Young Africans, Algerian club Mouloudia Alger and Tunisian side Club Africain.

“The group is strong, but Zamalek’s aim is to win the competition,” Shawky told On Sport. “Every team will be hoping to lift the trophy, but the result will be decided on the pitch between the players.”

The draw for the group stages of the CAF Champions League and the Confederation Cup took place on Wednesday, with Zamalek included in the top seeding pot for the Champions League.

Shawky said Zamalek would concentrate on collecting as many points as possible from their six matches.

“We are focusing only on our team and want to collect the maximum number of points in the group,” he added. “Why not take 18 points and win every match?”

He also said that, although Zamalek had been placed in what he called the first group, every side retained a chance of progressing.

“The chances are there for all the teams, and the Arab matches have their own special calculations,” Shawky said.

Zamalek have a long record in African football and are targeting another continental title, he added.

“Zamalek have a great history in Africa and are playing to preserve that history by winning the trophy,” he said.

Shawky also highlighted the club’s ability to deal with difficult circumstances, pointing to their recent domestic and continental achievements.

“Zamalek always go through difficult circumstances, but they are used to overcoming challenges and achieving success,” he said. “The White Knights are the league champions and reached the Confederation Cup final last season.”

He concluded by saying the squad could overcome any problems with the backing of the supporters and the work of the players.

“The team is capable of overcoming any circumstances with the support of the fans and the effort of the players, in order to achieve its objective.”

Zamalek’s group-stage fixtures are scheduled as follows:

– Zamalek v Club Africain 27-28-29 November – Mouloudia Alger v Zamalek 4-5-6 December – Zamalek v Young Africans 18-19-20 December – Young Africans v Zamalek 8-9-10 January – Club Africain v Zamalek 15-16-17 January – Zamalek v Mouloudia Alger 22-23-24 January