Preview: Zamalek aim high note in league finale against Pharco FC after poor season - Egyptian Football
Cairo giants Zamalek will be aiming to salvage pride from a disappointing Egyptian Premier League campaign when they face Pharco FC in the final matchday of the playoff stage at Cairo International Stadium on Saturday.
The White Knights enter the match with renewed confidence after securing their first win under interim coach Ayman El-Ramady, defeating Petrojet 3-1 last Saturday.
El-Ramady, 60, was appointed interim manager on 7 May becoming the fourth manager to take over the team this season after Jose Gomes, Christian Gross and Jose Peseiro.
He had a shaky start at the Cairo-based side, drawing 2-2 with Ceramica Cleopatra and suffering a slim 1-0 defeat to Pyramids FC.
Zamalek are currently third in the league standings with 44 points, 14 behind champions Ahly and 12 adrift of second-placed Pyramids FC.
El-Ramady faces challenges with a growing injury list that includes Ahmed Jafeli, Ahmed Fatouh, and Hamza Mathouthi, and Moroccan left-back Mahmoud Bentayg all of whom will miss the game.
Fortunately, he will receive a boost as several injured players are set to return.
Midfield duo Nasser Maher and Mahmoud Gehad have recovered and will be available for selection. The team's top scorer Nasser Mansi has also resumed training but may not start the game.
Mansi has a personal challenge as he will be hoping to score a double to match Ahly midfielder Emam Ashour's 13 goals at the top of the league's scoring chart.
This match serves as valuable preparation for Zamalek ahead of their Egypt Cup final against Pyramids FC on 5 June.
Pharco FC, meanwhile, arrive following a heavy 6-0 defeat to Ahly on Wednesday, in a match that marked the Red Devils' coronation ceremony for their record-extending 45th league title.
(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
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