Interim boss Ahmed Abdel-Raouf played down the effect of Zamalek’s 2-0 defeat to Al Ahly in the Egyptian Super Cup, stressing that his players faced difficult conditions. The match, held in the United Arab Emirates, ended in disappointment for the Cairo club, but Abdel-Raouf insisted that the result should be seen in context.
Interim boss Ahmed Abdel-Raouf played down the effect of Zamalek’s 2-0 defeat to Al Ahly in the Egyptian Super Cup, stressing that his players faced difficult conditions. The match, held in the United Arab Emirates, ended in disappointment for the Cairo club, but Abdel-Raouf insisted that the result should be seen in context.
“We worked under very tough conditions,” he told reporters after the game. “We suffered from many injuries, but I don’t want to look for excuses. Losing a title is not the end of the world. We have a lot of work to do in the coming days.”
The coach’s remarks reflected a focus on rebuilding rather than blaming the loss on circumstances. His calm response marked an effort to maintain team morale during a challenging period for the club.
Zamalek went into the final with several key absences. Moroccan fullback Mahmoud Bentayeg missed the encounter due to injury, while Brazilian winger Juan Alvina and the team’s Palestinian forward started on the bench as they continued recovery from fitness problems.
The situation worsened during the match as defender Mohamed Ismael had to leave the field injured, further limiting Abdel-Raouf’s options. The shortage of fully fit players was evident, forcing the interim coach to make tactical compromises.
Despite these setbacks, Zamalek managed to hold firm for much of the first half before conceding late in the opening period. Abdel-Raouf praised his players’ effort under the circumstances, emphasizing their determination to compete despite physical setbacks.
Reflecting on the match, Abdel-Raouf highlighted the importance of the timing of Ahly’s first goal. Moroccan winger Achraf Bencharki struck just before the break, putting his side ahead and shifting the game’s momentum.
“The timing of the first goal was very bad for us and gave them confidence to score another,” Abdel-Raouf said. The early setback after a solid defensive display proved difficult to recover from, as Ahly controlled the rhythm after halftime.
For Zamalek, the defeat was a reminder of the fine margins that often decide major matches. However, the interim coach stressed that the team’s response in the coming weeks will matter more than the result itself.
Having taken over just a week before the final, Abdel-Raouf now faces the task of stabilizing the squad and preparing for upcoming domestic fixtures. His short tenure has already been marked by adversity, but he expressed confidence that progress will come with time and effort.
He reiterated that losing one trophy does not define the team’s season. “We have a lot of work to do in the coming days,” he repeated, signaling his commitment to refocusing the squad and addressing the issues that surfaced in the match.
The Egyptian Super Cup defeat may sting for now, but Zamalek’s interim boss appears intent on turning the setback into motivation for recovery.
