Gomes handed injury blow ahead of CAFCC final

04/05/2024 13:00

Zamalek head coach Jose Gomes is set to be without three key players when his team battles it out with RS Berkane for the CAF Confederation Cup title.

The White Knights are bidding to win the trophy for the second time in their history after beating Dreams FC 3-0 on aggregate in the semi-finals.

Gomes’ side extended their unbeaten run in the competition to 11 matches since losing 2-0 to Arta Solar in the first leg of the second qualifying round.

However, Gomes has been dealt a big blow with the news that Shikabala, Mostafa El Zenary and Mostafa Shalaby are all expected to miss the first leg of the final against the Oranges Boys.

Team captain Shikabala sustained an injury during training ahead of the clash with Still Believe in Kumasi last weekend, while defender El Zenary and winger Shalaby were both forced off against the National Bank of Egypt on Thursday.

“Primary medical tests have indicated that Shalaby and El Zenary are likely to miss the first leg of the African Confederation Cup,” club doctor Mohamed Osama said on Zamalek’s TV channel.

“Shikabala could be absent from Zamalek’s squad for four to six weeks, and we must handle his injury cautiously upon his return.”

Zamalek head to the Berkane Municipal Stadium for the first leg on Sunday, May 12 before hosting the Moroccan outfit at the Cairo International Stadium seven days later.