Donga’s Tearful Exit: A Night of Injuries, Tributes, and a Historic Zamalek Moment
23 November 2025
Injury and Exit: Donga Leaves the Field in Tears
Nabil Emad Donja, the Zamalek midfield linchpin, suffered a severe knee injury during the CAF Confederation Cup clash with ZESCO United, forcing him to leave the pitch amid an emotional scene.
Donja pulled up in the 72nd minute and could not continue. The coach, Ahmed Abdel Raouf, immediately brought on a substitution.
He departed the pitch with the medics, heading for the stadium ambulance for further checks. The image of him crying beside the knee injury underscored the gravity of the moment.
The medical staff awaited a precise diagnosis to determine how long he would be sidelined, given his central role in midfield.
Tribute Before Kickoff
At Cairo International Stadium, prior to kick-off, an emotional tribute to the late Mohamed Sabry unfolded with official CAF approval.
Players from both clubs observed a minute of silence, and fans paid homage to Sabry’s enduring memory. Many former Zamalek stars wore shirts bearing Sabry’s image as a sign of respect.
The match forms part of the group stage of the Confederation Cup, with Zamalek in a group that also includes Al Masry and Kaizer Chiefs of South Africa.
Jaziri’s Moment and Sabri’s Legacy
Tunisian striker Seifeddine Jaziri gave Zamalek the lead at Cairo Stadium with a fine left footed strike in the 42nd minute, following a smart assist from Nasser Maher.
With that goal, Jaziri became the foreign top scorer in Zamalek history, tallying 48 goals and surpassing Ali Mohsen’s 47.
In another tribute, Zamalek welcomed the sons of the late Sabri, Adam and Asser Mohammed Sabry, to join the club’s youth ranks as part of a continued recognition of Sabry’s contribution to the club.
Club officials and former teammates greeted the newcomers, outlining a path for them within the academy system, with plans for December registrations under the Egyptian Football Association rules for youth and junior squads.
On a broader note, Sabry’s career arc was highlighted as part of Zamalek’s golden generation. Born in 1974, he rose to prominence at the end of the 1990s and into the early 2000s, winning a string of domestic and continental titles and forming part of a legendary cohort alongside players such as Osama Nabih, Medhat Abdelhady, Hazem Emam, and Ismail Youssef.
He enjoyed a brief spell with Kazma in Kuwait before returning to Zamalek, later playing for Al Ittihad Alexandria before retiring and moving into coaching and talent scouting, notably mentoring Mustafa Fathi. In later years he also worked as a broadcaster and analyst for Zamalek TV, earning widespread respect for loyalty to the club. He famously declined a move to the traditional rival Al Ahly in 1996, reinforcing his deep allegiance to Zamalek.
Today’s events reflect a day where injury, memory, and legacy intersect on the pitch, offering fans a blend of sport and history to recall long after the full-time whistle.
Punchline 1: If football had a sniper, it would aim for the knee every now and then just to remind us the ball isn’t the only thing that can be shot at precision.
Punchline 2: Jaziri’s goal was so perfectly threaded that even the net signed a ceasefire with gravity for a moment.
