Zamalek will start their campaign for the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) Champions League title with a tough challenge against Congolese giants TP Mazembe on Saturday.

After their loss against the domestic league’s bottom-placed Enppi, Zamalek’s Serbian coach Micho faced a wave of severe criticism due to his decisions in changing the formation, and choosing players in irrelevant positions, such as using Hazem Emam in the midfield while he plays on the right side as a full back or a winger.

The criticism reached its peak after calls from the Whites’ fans on social media to sack Micho. Zamalek’s president replied that: “Sacking Micho at the current time is unacceptable, as the team have an important game against Congo’s Mazembe.”

At the same time, Zamalek’s president sanctioned the players and the technical staff, led by Micho, for the loss to Enppi, revealing that the experts who chose the Serbian coach for Zamalek have now “disappeared,” and they don’t have the enough courage to talk about his performance.

Zamalek are playing in the Champions League’s Group A alongside Mazembe, Angola’s Primero de Agosto, and Zambia’s ZESCO United.

Firve-time African Champions League winner TP Mazembe are now in great form, leading the domestic league with 28 points after ten games, having won eight and tied two.

Both teams will be hoping to score their first three points in the prominent continental tournament. Zamalek are expected to struggle, while Mazembe will enter the game relieved with the advantage of playing at home.

Ahram