Zamalek returns to the CAF Champions League competition after a three-year absence from the continental tournament, still seeking to claim its sixth title in history.
Zamalek will begin its journey in the 2026-2027 CAF Champions League season by facing Djibouti Port in the first preliminary round. The first leg match will be held tomorrow evening at Cairo International Stadium, with the return fixture between the two teams scheduled for September 12.
Zamalek's Last Participation in the CAF Champions League
Zamalek's last appearance in the CAF Champions League dates back to March 2023, when the team was eliminated during the group stage.
At that time, Zamalek was drawn in Group Four alongside Tunisia's Esperance, Algeria's CR Belouizdad, and Sudan's Al-Merrikh. The team finished third in the group, exiting the tournament alongside Al-Merrikh, while Esperance and CR Belouizdad advanced to the next round.
Zamalek began its group stage campaign with a 1-0 loss to CR Belouizdad, followed by a goalless draw against Sudan's Al-Merrikh, before suffering a 2-0 defeat against Esperance.
Zamalek later bounced back to defeat Esperance 3-1, but then suffered another loss, falling 2-0 to CR Belouizdad, before concluding its campaign with a 4-3 victory over Al-Merrikh.
Zamalek's final hope for qualification depended on the match between Esperance and CR Belouizdad, but as the two teams drew 0-0, both secured their places in the next round, while Zamalek was eliminated from the tournament.
What Has Changed in Zamalek's Squad?
Zamalek's squad during its last CAF Champions League participation in 2023 included many players whose names have changed over the past three years.
The squad at that time included: Mohamed Awad, Hossam Abdel Majeed, Mohamed Tarek, Mohamed Abdel Ghani, Nabil Emad Dunga, Amr El-Sisi, Ahmed Fathi, Omar Gaber, Sayed Abdullah Neymar, Seif El-Jaziri, Ahmed Sayed Zizo, Mohamed Sobhi, Mohamed Abd El-Shafi, Abdullah Gomaa, Mohamed Ashraf Roka, Seif Jaafar, Mostafa Shalaby, Youssef Osama Nobeih, Shikabala, and Ibrahima Ndaye.
Only Mohamed Awad, Mohamed Sobhi, Omar Gaber, and Seif Jaafar remain from that list, as many team members departed over the past years, alongside the retirements of Mohamed Abd El-Shafi and Shikabala.
Ahmed Sayed Zizo, currently playing for Al-Ahly, was Zamalek's top scorer in the 2023 CAF Champions League edition, netting 6 goals.
