Zamalek will be looking for an away win when they face Morocco’s Ittihad Tanger in the first leg of the Confederation Cup round of 32 on Sunday, coach Christian Gross said.
The White Knights are enjoying a great run of form and they look well-equipped to win the Egyptian Premier League title.
While their last domestic league triumph was in 2015, they have not tasted any African success since winning the last of their five African Champions League crowns in 2002.
They reached the Confederation Cup semi-final in 2015 and the Champions League final a year later but failed to excel when it mattered most.
This year, they have a chance to win Africa’s secondary club competition for the first time and they face Tanger in a two-legged tie for a place in the group stage, having demolished Chad’s CotonTchad 7-2 on aggregate in the previous round.
“We have come to Morocco just to win,” Gross told Zamalek’s official website as the team aim to gain an advantage before hosting Tanger in the second leg.
“All the players are motivated and this makes me happy. The match is against a tough opponent who are having home advantage, but we are ready to win,” the Swiss boss added.
Zamalek have made only one signing for January so far, landing Morocco striker Khaled Boutaib.
He is expected to become Gross’ first-choice frontman following the departure of Congo’s Kabongo Kasongo to Saudi Arabia’s Al-Wehda on loan. However, Gross refused to confirm whether Boutaib could get a chance against Tanger.
Live: Zamalek v Morocco’s Tanger – Confederation Cup
