Zamalek Coach Moatamed Gamal ©BackpagePix
Saturday Apr 18, 2026. 11:00
Zamalek head coach Moatamed Gamal urged their fans to savour reaching another CAF Confederation Cup final despite not beating CR Belouizdad in the semi-final second leg on Friday.
The White Knights qualified for their third final in eight years after a 0-0 draw at the Cairo International Stadium saw them advance 1-0 on aggregate against the Reds.
Juan Alvina’s 28th-minute goal in the first leg at the Nelson Mandela Stadium last weekend proved decisive as Gamal’s side denied the opposition a way back into the tie with solid defending in Cairo.
The Egyptian giants have yet to lose in the final – they lifted the trophy for the first time in 2019 and repeated the feat in 2024 – winning against RS Berkane on both occasions.
“We had many chances in the first half, and there was a disallowed goal, and the most important thing is achieving the objective and qualifying for the final match,” Gamal said in his post-match press conference.
“I ask Zamalek fans not to be sad because of not winning today’s match, and I wished the performance would be better and that we could win, but in the end we qualified for the final.
“Semi-final and final matches do not witness many chances because of the caution of both teams, and Zamalek were better in the first half and there were no chances for the opponent.
“The second half witnessed some chances for CR Belouizdad, but Zamalek defended well and achieved the objective and qualified for the final.
“Our goal is to win the title, and we respect all opponents, whether USM Alger or Olympic Safi.”