Nasser Mansi could be moving closer to a return to the Zamalek squad after four of his team-mates intervened to ease tensions between the striker and head coach Moataz Gamal following an incident during the African Champions League match against the Rwandan Army.
Abdullah Al-Saeed, Omar Gaber, Mahmoud Hamdi Al-Wensh and Ahmed Fatouh have reportedly held discussions with Gamal in an attempt to resolve the dispute and persuade the coaching staff to give Mansi another opportunity.
However, the club is still expected to maintain disciplinary measures against the striker, with his suspension likely to continue until at least the end of October.
A source within Zamalek told winwin that the four players had stepped in to help restore relations between Mansi and Gamal, hoping to bring the situation under control after the striker apologised for his conduct.
The intervention reflects a desire among some members of the squad to settle the matter and allow the team to move forward without compromising the club’s position on discipline.
Team-mates seek compromise over punishment
The mediation is aimed at convincing the technical staff that the financial penalty and a temporary suspension would be sufficient punishment for Mansi’s actions.
The striker has reportedly apologised more than once as he attempts to put the dispute behind him. He has also explained that the pressure he was experiencing contributed to his behaviour during the match.
Mansi’s problems began during Zamalek’s first-leg meeting with the Rwandan Army in the second preliminary round of the African Champions League.
After scoring for Zamalek, the forward displayed behaviour towards the coaching staff that was considered unacceptable, triggering a disciplinary response from the club.
Zamalek’s management subsequently imposed a financial penalty, suspended the player and referred him for investigation.
The incident created tension between Mansi and the technical staff, leaving his immediate future within the squad uncertain.
His team-mates’ involvement has now provided a possible route towards reconciliation, although any decision to end the dispute will ultimately depend on the club’s technical staff and its disciplinary procedures.
Gamal shows signs of flexibility
According to the source, Gamal has become more receptive to the possibility of pardoning Mansi following the striker’s repeated apologies and the efforts made by his colleagues.
The change in attitude offers some encouragement for the forward, who is seeking to return to normal duties with the Egyptian club.
Nevertheless, a quick reinstatement is not considered the most likely outcome at this stage. The current expectation is that Mansi will remain suspended for the time being, with any pardon likely to come after the disciplinary period has run its course.
The suspension could last until at least the end of October, bringing the total period of punishment to approximately two weeks.
Although the discussions have raised hopes of a breakthrough, Mansi’s return is therefore not yet assured.
For now, the priority appears to be resolving the disagreement while ensuring that the disciplinary action taken by Zamalek remains in place. The intervention by Al-Saeed, Gaber, Al-Wensh and Fatouh could help bring the two sides closer, but the final decision on Mansi’s return remains with the club’s technical staff.
