A source inside Al-Zamalek club revealed the behind-the-scenes events in the team's dressing room following their victory over AS Port, in a match that brought the two teams together in the competition.
The source clarified in a statement to Yalla Kora that Al-Zamalek's technical staff took the initiative after the match to reprimand and express disappointment with some players due to the result, which they found unsatisfactory despite the team's win.
The source indicated that Maamoun Gamal, Al-Zamalek's head coach, had wanted to secure a large victory to strengthen the team's chances and ensure a comfortable qualification, alongside his desire to give the main players a rest in the return match.
The source added that Abdullah Saeed expressed disappointment with some players due to the team's drop in performance during parts of the match, urging his teammates to focus more and make the most of the opportunities in front of the goal.
The source confirmed that a state of mutual reprimand prevailed among the players in the dressing room, after several of them felt that the team had wasted many easy chances that were enough to secure a larger victory.
Al-Zamalek's first football team won the first leg against Djibouti's AS Port 2-1 in the first preliminary round of the African Champions League.
The return match between Al-Zamalek and the Djiboutian champion is scheduled to be held at 8:00 PM on Saturday, September 12, also at the Cairo International Stadium.
If Al-Zamalek passes the first preliminary round, they will advance to the Round of 32 on their way to the group stage of the continental tournament.
