Zamalek's Resolve Under Fire: 17 Absences, One Unbreakable Spirit
1 January 2026
A Turning Point Amid a Mountain of Absences
Abdel Nasser Mohamed, the club's football director, says Zamalek is navigating an exceptional technical turning point caused by a heavy bill of injuries and suspensions.
Eight players are out injured, including Abdullah Al-Saeed, Nabil Imad Dongaa, Mahmoud Jihad, Ahmed Rabie, Amr Nasser, Adam Kaid, Ahmed Abdel Rahim Isho, and Baron Oshing, most nearing the end of rehabilitation.
In addition, the club is missing 17 core players due to injuries and international call-ups, among them Mohammed Sobhi, Hossam Abdel Megid, Mohammed Ismail, Ahmed Fattouh, Mohammed Shahat, Seif Jaziri with Tunisia, Chico Banza with Angola, and others who remain sidelined.
He added that Seif Jaziri is out due to cards, and Ahmed Hamdi for internal reasons, leaving the staff with only seven readily available players—Omar Gaber, El-Wenash, and Nasser Maher among them—nearly impossible to cover all positions.
Responding to rumors of mutiny or training abstention, he denied these claims and said the board, in coordination with the sporting director John Edward, decided to rest the remaining players to prevent fatigue despite their eagerness to compete in the capital Cup.
He announced that Zamalek would field a full youth team born 2005-2009 in the League Cup, stressing that the club's loyal youngsters understand their responsibility and will not abandon their club despite tight finances.
He closed by saying Zamalek will not collapse; the crises will be resolved through management unity and fan support.
Punchline: If resilience were a player, it would wear the captain's armband. And if injuries keep piling up, the youth squad might just grow into a full rotation—talk about a growth spurt in Cairo.
