Trouble In Zamalek Camp Before Facing Chiefs?

Zamalek & Kaizer Chiefs players shaking hands during a prior encounter. Photo: Philip Maeta/Gallo Images

With Kaizer Chiefs visiting Zamalek in the final CAF Confederation Cup group match, Soccer Laduma has insight into the camp of The White Knights.

Chiefs head into the encounter with their confidence high, since apart from losing to Stellenbosch in the Nedbank Cup round of 32 clash, they are on a three-match winning streak in the Confederation Cup, after they followed up back-to-back wins over Zesco United with a 2-1 victory over Al Masry last weekend.

Check Out: Zamalek Coach: ‘Chiefs Is A Crucial Match For Us’

The Glamour Boys, therefore, are sitting at the top of Group D with 10 points, two points ahead of second-placed Zamalek, and a draw would be enough to secure a historic knockout-stage qualification.

Zamalek, on the other hand, needs maximum points to guarantee passage in the knockout phase.

The Siya crew sought information on the current state of the White Knights, and according to a Journalist in Egypt, Chiefs could not meet Zamalek in a worse state.

One of the biggest issues facing the club is its recurring transfer-window bans. At the beginning of the month, FIFA announced fresh three-window transfer restrictions due to unpaid salaries to former forward Ibrahima Ndiaye.

The White Knights currently have 11 active transfer bans, mostly related to wages owed to former players, a reality which has seen them unable to strengthen their squad for the past two transfer windows.

A Siya source in Egypt has it that there was no shock when Zamalek lost to Zesco United in the penultimate group encounter last weekend, due to low expectations, given the problems around the team.

The White Knights’ financial woes are still going on, with the current players allegedly having to go for months without their salaries, according to a source in Egypt.

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The Egyptian giants’ squad, as a result, has been depleted, with young players fast-tracked to shore up their ranks, particularly after they sold key players, Nasser Maher to Pyramids and Nabil Emad Dunga, who was signed by Saudi Arabian side Al Najma, to help the club balance their books.

The fixture schedule has also not helped Zamalek, who had a midweek league game against Smouha they won 1-0, despite resting some key players.

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