Zamalek President Mortada Mansour held a press conference on Wednesday at the White Knights’ club to announce the team’s new arrivals. 

He introduced the return to the team’s former full back Mohamed Abdel-Shafy from Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ahli, and striker Mostafa Mohamed from loan at Talae El-Geish. 

He also introduced Ismaily’s forward Karim Bambo, Maqassa’s attacking midfielder Islam Gaber, Moroccan winger Achraf Bencharki coming from the Saudi Al-Hilal, and his fellow Moroccan winger Mohammed Ounajem coming from Wydad Casablanca.

 Mansour also announced that the Tunisian midfielder Ferjani Sassi, as well as the Egyptian national team stars Mahmoud Alaa and Tarek Hamed will stay with the Cairo giants, stressing that “they’re not for sale.” He also revealed that the team’s winger, Ahmed Madbouly, will be leaving the team to join Ismaily SC.

 Mansour opened the press conference by attacking the former coach of the team the Swiss Christian Gross, accusing him of being the main cause for Zamalek’s loss of the league title this season to archrivals Ahly. Earlier this week, Zamalek finished the season in second place eight points behind Ahly despite leading in the standings table for most of the season.  

 “Gross lost the league by wasting points from easy matches, despite having [equally strong] players and substitutes in each position in the formation,” said Mansour. Mansour refuted rumours that Zamalek former star Mahmoud Abdel-Razek ‘Shikabala’ would be offered a managerial position in the team, but said the 33-year-old international winger would be joining the team’s squad as a player in this upcoming season.

 Zamalek president also introduced the team’s three new goalies: Mohamed Awad from Ismaily, Mohamed Abo Gabal from Smouha, and Mohamed Sobhy from Petrojet. Zamalek has been missing the services of their primary goalie Mahmoud Abdel-Rehem ‘Gennesh’, who suffered a serious injury earlier this month. Mansour sold the team’s other two goalkeepers, Omar Salah and Emad El-Sayed, earlier in the week. 

After announcing the 10 new arrivals, Mansour explained that the team is still negotiating to hire a new coach and also sign more players. “There is a possibility of announcing one or two new signings today, but we didn’t close those deals yet. The new coach will be a happy surprise for the fans,” Zamalek president concluded.