Zamalek will begin their Egyptian Premier League title defence against Al-Ittihad Alexandria on Friday with several players unavailable and doubts over the fitness of others.
The champions will meet Al-Ittihad at Cairo International Stadium in their opening match of the 2026-27 campaign, with manager Moataz Gamal facing a difficult selection decision after a disrupted pre-season.
Zamalek are without Hossam Ashraf and Mohamed Ibrahim, who are suspended after accumulating cards during the previous season.
Juan Bezerra, the club’s leading contributor of goals last season, is also expected to miss the match. The winger has been left out amid his desire to leave the club.
Abdullah Al-Saeed and Chico Banza are additional absentees, with neither considered technically ready after returning late to the team’s preparations.
There is also uncertainty surrounding striker Nasser Mansi. He missed Zamalek’s first two warm-up matches against Plastic and Orange before appearing for the final 20 minutes of the team’s final preparation game against Modern Sport.
That limited involvement leaves his starting position against Al-Ittihad in doubt.
The shortage of available players has added to concerns surrounding Zamalek before the opening fixture, particularly as the club have also not been able to rely on a number of new signings.
Fatouh set for midfield role
Ahmed Fatouh is expected to move into midfield for the opening league game.
Gamal used Fatouh in that position last season and has continued to deploy him there during pre-season preparations.
With Bezerra unavailable, Zamalek are also expected to make changes on the wings. Ahmed Sherif and Ahmed Esho are expected to operate in the wide attacking positions.
The expected starting XI has El Mahdi Soliman in goal, with Mahmoud Bentayk, Mahmoud El Wensh, Mohamed Ismail and Omar Gaber forming the defensive line.
Fatouh is expected to be joined in midfield by Mohamed Shehata and Mohamed El Sayed.
The attack is likely to consist of Ahmed Sherif, Oday El Dabbagh and Ahmed Esho.
Zamalek’s expected XI against Al-Ittihad
Goalkeeper: El Mahdi Soliman
Defenders: Mahmoud Bentayk, Mahmoud El Wensh, Mohamed Ismail, Omar Gaber
Midfielders: Ahmed Fatouh, Mohamed Shehata, Mohamed El Sayed
Forwards: Ahmed Sherif, Oday El Dabbagh, Ahmed Esho
The selection will be closely watched as Zamalek attempt to start their title defence with a victory despite the difficulties surrounding the squad.
The Egyptian Premier League will again begin with a single round-robin first phase before the competition is split into two groups.
The top six teams will enter the group competing for the league title and continental qualification, while the teams finishing from seventh to 20th will enter the second group, where they will compete for survival and determine the relegated clubs.
That structure makes every point in the opening stage important, increasing the pressure on Zamalek to start strongly.
Zamalek have dominated this fixture
History provides Zamalek with considerable encouragement ahead of Friday’s game.
The White Knights have a substantial advantage in their Egyptian league meetings with Al-Ittihad, having won 74 times compared with only nine victories for their opponents.
There have been 26 draws between the two sides.
Zamalek have also scored 184 goals in those league meetings, while Al-Ittihad have found the net 59 times.
The recent record is even more favourable to the defending champions.
Zamalek have not lost to Al-Ittihad in the Egyptian league since the 2017-18 season, when they suffered a 2-1 defeat.
Since that match, the teams have faced each other 14 times in the league. Zamalek have won 11 of those encounters, while the other three ended in draws.
That unbeaten run gives Zamalek confidence going into the latest meeting, although their current squad situation presents a different challenge.
Last season’s meeting at Cairo Stadium also ended in Zamalek’s favour, with the White Knights securing a 1-0 victory.
The champions will therefore enter Friday’s match as clear historical favourites, but Gamal must first find a way to overcome the absences affecting his squad.
With suspended players unavailable, Bezerra out amid his desire to leave and several others short of fitness, Zamalek’s opening line-up is likely to look different from the team that won the title.
The match against Al-Ittihad will provide the first competitive test of whether the available players can compensate for those missing and whether Zamalek can begin their title defence with another victory over one of their most familiar opponents.
