CAF CC - Zamalek – Berkane: What they said

Ahead of Sunday’s second leg final of the Total CAF Cup of Confederation 2018/19 season, the key actors from the two finalists, Zamalek and RS Berkane took part in the pre-match press conference on the eve at the Borg El Arab Stadium in Alexandria.

Below is a recap of what they said.

Christian Gross (Head Coach, Zamalek)

It has been a long journey since last December, which has seen us play 15 matches already and we are hoping to end it in grand style with the ultimate. Everybody wants to win just as the players who want to win silverware to make their fans and the whole Egyptian populace proud.

We are 1-0 down and we have to perform. The players have to respond and we have to find the right mix on Sunday.

Eleven months ago, I could not have imagined that we will be playing in a final. It is going to be emotional on Sunday. We have to keep our emotions under control and attack the best way we can. Let’s go out and enjoy the moment.

Hazem Emam (Defender, Zamalek)

I’m hopeful of victory. The 1-0 loss from the first leg will make us more focused on the game. The playing body have performed creditably in such a difficult tournament. This is a trophy Zamalek has never won, and we hope to be the first generation to achieve this feat.

It is a first African final for many of the players, but we are all keen writing a new chapter in the history of the club.

Mounir Jaouani (Head Coach, Berkane)

The two teams are not in the final by accident, but with great effort since the beginning of the competition. Pressure will be on Zamalek. And the presence of the expected 50,000 supporters will bring more pressure on the home team than us, being our first time in an African club final.

The 1-0 win from the first leg is a result we will be building on. The entire Morocco is behind us and we hope to go back with the title to make all of them happy.

Mohamed Abdellah (Forward, Berkane)

It is a big match against a great club like Zamalek. We (players) are ready and are looking forward to finishing the job we started last week in Berkane, by winning the title. It is a big moment for the entire team, and we are poised for victory.