Zamalek’s Ferrera Unveils the Return Leg Blueprint and Sends a Message to Jaziri
18 October 2025
Match control and goals
Zamalek SC’s coach Yanick Ferrera stated that his team fully controlled the match from the opening whistle, dismantling the Somali side Dikidaaha FC in Cairo with a 6-0 victory in the CAF Confederation Cup first leg.
The scoring was spread across the night: Ahmed Sharif opened in the 23rd minute, Brazilian Juan Bezera struck in the 35th and 77th, Amr Nasser added one in the 36th, Sief-Eddine El Jaziri found the net in the 64th, and Sief Jaafar completed the scoring in the 83rd.
This dominant display puts Zamalek in a strong position to advance to the group stage, with the return leg also scheduled to be played in Cairo after Dikidaaha agreed to host both matches at the Egyptian capital’s venue.
Ferrera explained that the early second goal helped ease the task, even though the lineup carried risk due to several absences. He stressed that the victory was built on discipline and collective pressing from start to finish.
In a post-match briefing, Ferrera said: “We dominated the game from the first minute and created many chances. We could have finished with 12 goals if luck had been on our side.” He added that after the second and third goals the tempo dipped briefly before the team regained intensity in the second half.
He also praised the performance of the newcomers and the young players, highlighting Baron Oshing and Mohamed Al-Sayed for their solid display and contribution during the 90 minutes.
Return-leg strategy and Jaziri’s situation
Ferrera reserved praise for the Tunisian forward Saif Eddine El Jaziri, emphasizing his quality and fitness upon returning to action after a period away from the lineup due to a dispute earlier in the season. The coach asserted that El Jaziri remains a top option and deserved his goal on the night.
Discussing plans for the away leg, Ferrera hinted at rotating the squad to give rest to key players and give fringe players a chance to prove themselves. The aim is to maintain fitness and focus for the challenge ahead, particularly with a tight schedule and ongoing fatigue concerns among regular starters.
Ferrera noted that Bezera is physically sound after a tough match and that the squad’s depth will be crucial as they push for a spot in the group stage. He also reminded everyone of the club’s history in the competition, including Zamalek’s two CAF Confederation Cup titles in 2019 and 2024, both achieved against Renaissance Berkane of Morocco.
Other competition context
Beyond Zamalek’s win, the CAF Confederation Cup scene on the day featured several notable results around Africa, including Simba and Kasia fixtures and other close scores that shaped the round’s dynamics for participating clubs.
In summary, Ferrera’s message was clear: control the tie, protect the squad, and trust the younger talents to push for a memorable journey in the CAF Confederation Cup. The stage is set for the return leg to decide who advances and who’ll miss out on the group stage—talk about a cliffhanger, minus the popcorn pitfall.
Punchline time: If Ferrera’s game plan were a weapon, it would be a Swiss Army knife—multi-tool, always ready, and somehow still slicing through defenses. Punchline 2: My fantasy football lineups are always offside with reality, but Ferrera’s tactics always seem to be onside—at least on paper.
