Four key players may not feature for Zamalek when they take on Nigeria’s Enyimba in Cairo on Sunday. Three of them are sidelined owing to injury.

The fourth, Nabil Imad Donga, the team’s midfielder, will miss the match owing to suspension due to the accumulation of yellow cards.

The injured players are Mohamed El-Sayed, Abdullah El-Saeed and Mahmoud Hamdy “El-Wensh.”

Al-Wensh suffers from a bruise on the lower thigh and knee. He, according to an Egyptian publication, Dostor, went through rehabilitation training on the sidelines in Friday’s training session.

On the other hand, Mohamed El-Sayed, complained of pain in the internal ligament of his knee, making his chances of participating in the match against Enyimba difficult.

Abdullah El-Saeed suffered a bruise on the anterior muscle.

Dr. Mohamed Osama, head of the Zamalek team’s medical staff, confirmed that Mohamed El-Sayed underwent a knee X-ray that proved his safety, and the medical staff preferred to develop a rehabilitation program to prepare him for the current period.

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The quarter-final line-up in the CAF Confederation Cup will be completed this weekend, as the race towards a place in the knockout stages enters its final stretch on Sunday, 19 January.

Two places remain to make up the eight teams that will compete the quarter-finals after defending champions Zamalek SC (Egypt), CS Constantine, USM Alger (Algeria), RS Berkane (Morocco), Simba SC (Tanzania) and Stellenbosch FC (South Africa) all secured their respective places with a game to spare.

The knockout stages already promises to live up to the competition’s high expectations, with reigning champions Zamalek joined by two former winners RS Berkane and USM Alger, who together all have five titles amongst them.

Senegalese side, AS Jaraaf will approach Sunday’s top of the table clash in Group C with caution, needing just a point to join former champions USM Alger in the knockout stage.

Asec Mimosas welcome Botswana’s Orapa United to Abidjan, targeting nothing less than a victory. If AS Jaraaf lose and Asec Mimosas win, the latter will move into second on the head-to-head rule.

It will be a tough mountain to climb for the Ivorians as they attempt to overcome a side that frustrated them to a goalless tie in Gaborone last month.

Group D will line up some interesting encounters on Sunday as Zamalek, who have their top spot in the group sealed, welcome former African champions Enyimba.

The Nigerian outfit are a point behind second-placed Egypt’s Al Masry. The latter have their qualification in their hands with a victory – irrespective of the other fixture’s outcome.

CAF Confederation Cup Match Day 6 | Sunday, 19 January

Group A

• 13h00 GMT | CS Sfaxien v Bravos do Maquis
• 13h00 GMT | Simba v CS Constantine

Group B

• 19h00 GMT | RS Berkane v Stellenbosch FC
• 19h00 GMT | Stade Malien v CD Lunda Sul

Group C

• 19h00 GMT | Asec Mimosas v Orapa United FC
• 19h00 GMT | USM Alger v Jaraaf

Group D

• 16h00 GMT | Al Masry v Black Bulls
• 16h00 GMT | Zamalek SC v Enyimba FC

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Nigeria’s Enyimba are clinging to possibilities as they head to Cairo, Egypt for their last CAF Confederation Cup group match against leaders, Zamalek.

In the club’s website, Enyimba are looking up to possible upstage of the defending champions on Sunday and a likely slip by the other Egyptian club, Al Masry who will host Mozambique’s Associação Black Bulls.

Enyimba could have eased pressure and be in a commanding position for a quarter-final slot had they beaten Al-Masry in Uyo last Sunday.

But the club in an article on their website look optimistic of coming back with smiles after their Sunday’s match with Zamalek on Sunday.

“Our Journey to Zamalek: Another Shot at a Reason to Smile” Enyimba assured fans.

Their statement reads: “A lot has been said about our game against Al Masry, one which we should have won. The boys gave what they could, yet we still fell short of that victory. But like the Elephant, we will keep trudging on.

“Despite our challenges, we have shown a positive attitude recently and our second half in Uyo on Sunday holds a lot promise for us.

“We have an uphill task against Zamalek in Egypt, that which is surmountable. It is football anyway.

“We have had situations when we had our backs against the wall but we still found our way out to stand tall.

“In 2021, we were minutes away from leaving the competition if we did not beat Orlando Pirates in our last game, in front of our dear fans.

“In the dying moments of extra time, in the 95th minute to be precise, we scored, courtesy of a fine strike by Cyril Olisema.

“That never-say-die spirit is what we should hold on to as we journey to Egypt to face Zamalek who have already qualified for the next round.

“Our coach, Stanley Eguma has managed four games now and he has seen areas he needs to work on, at least in the short term to prepare the team for the big day against Zamalek.

“He has had to improvise on occasions; like Innocent Gabriel playing in midfield. He will find an approach which will help us to absorb the pressure in Egypt and go for victory.

“With Zamalek already through to the next round, they are no longer under pressure and it is an advantage for us.

“The players are aware of how big the challenge is and it is time to give it one last shot.

When we saw the draws, we knew it was not going to be easy. However, we are a club steeped in the history of CAF football competitions and have faced mountain-like obstacles which we surmounted.

“We have that strong mentality, and it is what we should take into the game.

“We should banish the unpleasant memories of the last game and move ahead. Like it is said in football, it is not over until it is over.

“We will go to Egypt, we will fight till the end and hopefully, we will have a reason to smile again.”

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