Zamalek’s 7-Day Gauntlet: Continent clashes, Domestic Dilemmas, and a Handshake That Stirred a Storm

Scheduling pressure threatens Zamalek as three matches in seven days loom

Zamalek received an official notice from CAF detailing the dates for the first two group-stage fixtures of the CAF Confederation Cup, placing the White Knights in a tight spot. The group includes Al Masry of Port Said, Kaiser Chiefs of South Africa, and ZESCO United of Zambia, turning the group into a real test of stamina.

The real squeeze lies in the schedule: three matches in seven days, with a gruelling flight to South Africa slotted between league games. Zamalek will face ZESCO United on Sunday, November 23, at nine o’clock in the evening, at Cairo International Stadium.

In the domestic league, they meet Smouha on Wednesday, November 26, with the cross-continental trip to South Africa due to begin two days later as they gear up for Kaiser Chiefs on November 29 at 3:00 pm local time at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.

The tight order places a heavy physical and logistical burden on the White Knights, who after the Smouha match must immediately embark on a long flight to South Africa for the afternoon kickoff there.

Experts warn that the cadence could boost fatigue, particularly given the noon kickoffs in the South African time zone.

According to KOORA, Zamalek officials have already contacted the Egyptian Professional Football Association to coordinate and seek the postponement of the Smouha game on November 26. The aim is to give players adequate rest and proper preparation time for the arduous journey and the decisive continental clash that follows without compromising their readiness.

Zizo controversy and disciplinary steps

Separately, Zamalek's board decided earlier today to file a formal complaint to the Egyptian Disciplinary and Ethics Committee against Ahmed Mustafa Zizo after the controversy surrounding the Super Cup trophy ceremony in the UAE.

Al Ahly clinched the Super Cup trophy 16th time last Sunday after beating the White Knights 2-0 at Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

During the podium moment, Zizo, a former Zamalek winger who joined Ahly in June after failed talks with Zamalek, did not shake hands with Hisham Nasser, the vice president of Zamalek, which surprised and angered the board.

Hisham Nasser described the moment as out of line and criticized Khaled Mortaji for celebrating with photos on his official Facebook page.

Zamalek argues the act breaches the protocol and sportsmanship and calls for sanctions under article 6/6 of the disciplinary and ethics regulations. They request the sanctions against Zizo in line with the rules and insist on enforcing the code of conduct within the federation.

Nasser recalled that the moment would have been different if Zizo had intended to greet him; he claimed he would have shaken hands, but he avoided pressing the issue when the gesture did not seem genuine.

The vice president also criticized Mortaji for his public posts later, and noted that the incident should be resolved within the sports system rather than escalate publicly.

He pointed out that Zizo remains a player of high value, but that past tensions between the clubs meant the row could have been avoided with better behavior. He cited a previous incident with Mariam Mustafa, a Zamalek handball player, where a directive from a board member led to a handshake in a subsequent moment, as a reminder that protocol matters.

Nasser concluded that Zizo’s talent is undeniable, but that on-field greatness does not grant immunity from proper conduct in moments of ceremony, and he reiterated that the matter should be treated as a disciplinary issue within the federation.

As the dust settles, he emphasized that such issues should be addressed internally, reinforcing that the sport’s hierarchy must model the standards it preaches.

Punchlines coming up, because even calendars deserve a sense of humor:

Punchline 1: If calendars had legs, this one would be sprinting to the exit gates.

Punchline 2: Zamalek’s travel plan is so dense, even the plane needs a nap before takeoff.