The technical staff of Zamalek's first football team, led by Ahmed Abdel Raouf, will be missing the services of 13 players during the match against Smouha, scheduled to take place at 8 PM on Thursday at the Arab Contractors Stadium, as part of the third round of the Egypt Capital Cup competition.

The Zamalek roster saw the absence of several key players, most notably Mohamed Sobhi, Ahmed Fattouh, Hossam Abdel Meguid, Mohamed Ismail, and Mohamed Shehata, due to their participation with the Egyptian national team in the Africa Cup of Nations tournament.

Moroccan Mahmoud Bentayeg is also absent after recently celebrating his wedding, along with Ahmed Hamdi and Mohamed El-Sayed, who were excluded for technical reasons by the coaching staff's decision.

Tunisian Seifeddine Jaziri and Angolan Chico Banza continue to be absent as they are with their national teams for the Africa Cup of Nations, while the trio of Abdullah Al-Saeed, Nabil Emad "Donga," and Ahmed Rabie are sidelined due to injury, putting Zamalek facing a tough challenge ahead of the match against Smouha.