Motamed Gamal, coach of Zamalek reacts during the CAF Confederation Cup 2025/26 2nd Leg Final between Zamalek and USM Alger at Cairo International Stadium in Cairo, Egypt on 16 May 2026 ©Mostafa Emira/BackpagePix
Monday May 18, 2026. 15:00
Zamalek head coach Motamed Gamal admitted they weren’t at their best in the second leg of the CAF Confederation Cup final after losing 8-7 on penalties to USM Alger.
The White Knights were looking to overturn a 1-0 deficit from the first leg and they got off to a flying start inside a packed Cairo International Stadium when Oday Dabbagh opened the scoring from the spot on five minutes.
However, the hosts struggled to build on their early goal and got dominated in possession, while they ran out of legs in the second half which led to them creating just three chances.
After the first 14 spot-kicks were all converted, Mohamed Shehata blazed over from 12 yards out and Glody Likonza then kept his cool to secure the title for Lamine N’Diaye’s side.
Jamal refused to point the finger at Shehata, insisting their failure came down to a lack of courage after breaking the deadlock so early on.
“We did not want the match to go to penalties. Even though we scored early, the team was not at its best during the second leg,” the Egyptian tactician said.
“The opponent was better than us in the second half. Our decline came because we became afraid after taking the lead. I could feel the tiredness of the players, so we relied more on transitions in the second half.
“In the end, penalties are about luck. I cannot blame Mohamed Shehata.”