Zamalek will begin their 2026-2027 Egyptian Premier League campaign against Al Ittihad Alexandria, but they will not have a full-strength squad for the opening match. Five players are set to miss the highly anticipated fixture, scheduled for 8:00 PM on Friday at Cairo International Stadium.

Head coach Moataz Gamal must now find the right solutions to overcome the absences, particularly as Zamalek enter the new season aiming to defend their league title. The club were also unable to make new signings during the summer transfer window due to their registration ban.

Zamalek's Absences: Suspensions, Fitness Issues and the Bezera Crisis

Hossam Ashraf will miss the match through an accumulation of yellow cards, while Mohamed Ibrahim remains on a rehabilitation program as he continues his recovery from injury.

Abdallah El Said and Angolan forward Chico Banza are also unavailable. Both players joined the team late and did not complete the full pre-season preparation. As a result, the coaching staff have placed them on special fitness programs rather than rushing them into competitive action.

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The fifth absence is Brazilian player Juan Bezera, who has yet to return to Cairo amid his ongoing dispute with the club and his desire to leave and pursue a new professional opportunity.

An Early Test for Moataz Gamal

Zamalek's absences represent an early challenge for Moataz Gamal, especially with the team beginning the season against Al Ittihad Alexandria without any new summer recruits due to the registration crisis.

The coaching staff will have to rely on the available squad, with several players potentially receiving greater responsibilities as replacements for the missing names. The immediate objective will be to secure a strong start and avoid dropping points at the beginning of the title-defense campaign.

The Al Ittihad match will therefore be an important test for Zamalek, not only because it is their first league game of the season, but also because it will show how effectively the team can cope with the absences and maintain a strong competitive level despite the difficulties surrounding their preparations.