When Confidence Crashes: Zamalek's Cairo Cup Setback Sparks Coach's Frustration

A False Belief

Coach Ahmed Abdel Raouf, the Zamalek manager, expressed strong disappointment with his team's performance after a 1-0 defeat to Smouha today in the Cairo Cup, calling the display bad on all levels.

Speaking at the post-match press conference, he noted a high number of technical errors and said Zamalek's usual character did not show in the first half, with only a modest improvement in the second half, which still left him unsatisfied and labeling the game among the team's worst in recent memory.

He criticized the players overconfidence before kickoff, saying everyone entered the game with the belief that victory was assured, which negatively affected focus and effort.

He explained that he anticipated a difficult test and that Smouha was physically ready, which led him to start Amr Nasser and later bring in Nasr Mansi and Adi Al Dabbagh in the second half to ease them into the match, while ensuring that young Anas Wael would get his chance in the near future.

Regarding the use of youth, Abdel Raouf said the staff selects youngsters based on the club's capabilities and needs, stressing the importance of protecting these players from overuse that could affect their careers.

He added that Zamalek does not compare itself to other clubs such as Al Ahly or Pyramids in fielding youths in the Cairo Cup, instead pursuing a strategy that serves both the club and the players.

He closed by discussing Juan Bizera, noting that he remains an important member of the squad despite fluctuations, and stressing that it is natural for a player to dip sometimes, while underscoring the need to correct collective mistakes to avoid similar showings in future fixtures.

Punchline 1: If confidence were a ticket, they’d be allowed to attend every match for free.

Punchline 2: If the ball had a PhD in psychology, it would finally explain why it keeps proving them wrong at halftime.