Al Merrikh intervenes to ease Zamalek's burdens ahead of African clash

The Sudanese newspaper 'Al Match' revealed that Al Merrikh has taken care of the costs of renting training pitches for the first team of Zamalek FC during their time in the Rwandan capital, Kigali, in preparation for their match against Rwandan Army in the CAF Champions League.

This initiative coincided with organizational crises faced by Zamalek SC's delegation, as a problem arose in confirming the hotel reservation due to overdue financial dues to the company responsible for the arrangements, forcing officials to distribute members of the delegation across two hotels.

The first hotel has accommodated the players, coaching staff, and the director of football, while the medical and administrative staff and task workers are staying in the other hotel. This comes despite later sources denying any change in the team's lodging and confirming the stability of the camp.

Travel arrangements also saw apologies from board members for accompanying the delegation, with football director Abdel Nasser Mohamed taking charge of the group, while the official media coordinator was absent, and coverage was limited to a video photographer and another still photographer.

On the technical front, Mo'tamed Gamal's travel was delayed due to undergoing surgery and needing rest, before it was decided he would join the team early Friday. Meanwhile, Zamalek have suffered a blow with the injury of Moroccan defender Mahmoud Bentaïg, who has a tear in his hamstring, with expectations of him being out for about a month, amid pressures following the defeat in the summit match against Al Ahly FC and the management's escalation against the refereeing.