An Egyptian legend has admitted that his side did not deserve to beat Mamelodi Sundowns the last time the two clubs met in the CAF Champions League final.
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Zamalek are regarded as one of African football’s true powerhouses. The White Knights have lifted the CAF Champions League trophy on five occasions, while also winning the Egyptian Premier League 14 times and the domestic cup 29 times.
Despite their illustrious history, the Cairo-based giants have struggled in recent editions of the Champions League. Since the start of this decade, Zamalek have failed to progress past the group stages, although they did reach the final in both 2016 and 2020.
In the 2016 edition, Zamalek came up against Sundowns. Although they managed a 1-0 win in the second leg, a crushing 3-0 defeat at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium in the first leg ultimately denied them continental glory.
Club legend Mahmoud Abdelrazak Fadlallah, affectionately known as Shikabala, has now reflected on that campaign and offered insight into why the White Knights fell short against the record Betway Premiership champions.
"Zamalek did not deserve to win the CAF Champions League title against Sundowns, because the circumstances, atmosphere, and players' behaviour before the match were inappropriate,” the 39-year-old told Kooora.
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"Before the match against Sundowns, two players were smoking, even though the team roster at the time was only 14 players, and the circumstances were extremely difficult. I hope Zamalek finishes second in the league, or wins the title, in order to return to participating in the CAF Champions League."
