A source from Zamalek revealed the truth regarding rumors that goalkeeper Mohamed Awad refused to sit on the bench as a substitute during the match against AS Port, the champion of Djibouti.
Mohamed Awad
Club: Zamalek
Reports circulated claiming that Awad refused to sit on the bench as a substitute for goalkeeper Mohamed Sobhi, who played in Zamalek's match against Port after Mehdi Soliman, the first-choice goalkeeper, was excluded from the matchday squad.
A source from Zamalek told FilGoal.com : "There is no truth to the claims that Mohamed Awad refused the idea of sitting on the bench as a substitute for Mohamed Sobhi in yesterday's match against AS Port, the champion of Djibouti."
He added, "The technical staff, led by Moataz Gamal, had informed both Mehdi Soliman and Awad of their exclusion from the team's matchday squad before joining the training camp."
He concluded, "The match was a good opportunity to rotate among the goalkeepers so that Mohamed Sobhi could participate after his absence. It was also an opportunity for the promoted player Omar Abdel Aziz to be included in the matchday squad. Awad and Mehdi accepted the decision, as evidenced by their presence at Cairo Stadium to support the team."
Zamalek defeated their opponent, AS Port of Djibouti, with two goals to one in the first leg of the CAF Champions League preliminary round.
Mohamed Shehata and Chico Banza scored Zamalek's two goals, while Mahdi Hussein scored for Port.
This match marks Zamalek's first appearance in the CAF Champions League since their last encounter against Al-Merrikh of Sudan in the 2023 edition.
The winner of the Zamalek vs. Port match will face the winner of the ties between Congolese Eagles and Rwandan Army in the Round of 32.
