Zamalek has arrived in Kigali to face the Rwandan Army in the second preliminary round of the CAF Champions League, managing a 24-man roster, multiple injuries, and logistical friction upon arrival ahead of Friday's opening leg at Amahoro Stadium.
The journey to Rwanda follows a dense domestic stretch, beginning just 24 hours after a 2-0 local league defeat to Al Ahly in Cairo. Under the direction of technical staff led by Motamed Gamal, the traveling contingent touched down in Kigali to prepare for the continental fixture scheduled for Friday at 5:00 PM Cairo time.
Logistical Friction and Hotel Division Upon Arrival in Kigali
Upon landing at Kigali International Airport, the delegation encountered administrative turbulence regarding accommodation arrangements.
There is no truth to the reports circulating in the last few hours regarding a change of the first team’s hotel in Rwanda,
a Zamalek club source told FilGoal.
However, another source indicated that outstanding financial dues to the booking agency caused a temporary snag leading the traveling party to be split temporarily across two separate locations.
“Zamalek is staying at the largest hotel in the Rwandan capital, Kigali, and this was arranged in advance. All administrative matters regarding the team’s travel and hotel bookings are proceeding well, and there are no problems related to the team’s stay in Rwanda,” a Zamalek club source told FilGoal.
According to those accounts, players, the football director, and the technical staff stayed at the Radisson, while the medical team, administrative personnel, and equipment crew were placed at Zaria Court.
Squad Selection and Six Key Absences Ahead of the Rwandan Army Fixture
The coaching staff selected a 24-man roster for the trip, integrating younger prospects such as left-back Ahmed Khodary and right-back Mohamed Farag to bolster defensive options. Yet the group travels without six sidelined players due to injuries, fitness issues, or tactical choices as confirmed by club updates.
| Player | Reason for Absence |
|---|---|
| Mahmoud Bentayg | Posterior muscle tear (estimated recovery 21 to 28 days) |
| Mohamed El Sayed | Foot fracture |
| Adam Kaid | Shoulder injury assessment |
| Amr Nasser | Lack of match fitness |
| Seif Farouk Gaafar | Technical exclusion |
| Omar Abdel Aziz | Technical exclusion |
The absence of Mahmoud Bentayg delivers a significant blow to the squad’s defensive depth following medical scans that verified a tear in his hamstring during the domestic match against Al Ahly.
Match Officials and Broadcasting Details for the Amahoro Stadium Clash
The Confederation of African Football has assigned a refereeing team to officiate the first leg under the leadership of central referee Abdul Mfiri. He will be supported by assistant referees Elvis Ngogou and Rodrigue Mbe Mpe Mbali, with Antoine Max Isouma serving as the fourth official.
Tanzanian official Khaled Abdullah Mohamed takes on the role of general match commissioner, while Uganda’s Ali Tomusange presides over referee evaluation. Viewers in the region can follow the action via MBC Masr 2, which secured the broadcasting rights for the opening fixture.
The return leg is scheduled for October 24 at Cairo International Stadium, where Zamalek aims to secure advancement into the group stage of a tournament the club last won in 2002.
