Carteron lauds Zamalek's character after Esperance win

by Staff Reporter

Sunday Mar 01, 2020. 17:00

Zamalek manager Patrice Carteron praised his charges following their win against African champions Esperance de Tunis.

The Egyptian giants secured a 3-1 win over the Tunisia side in the CAF Champion League quarter-finals first-leg match on Friday night.

The encounter was played in the Egyptian capital city, Cairo and Carteron praised his charges after they came from behind to secure the victory.

“It was a complicated game after a tough week, especially after we played the African Super Cup game against Esperance and then the Egyptian one against Al Ahly,” Carteron said in a press conference.

“We were also distracted in training a few days ago because we didn’t know if we were going to play against Al Ahly on Monday or not.

“The players showed great character to get through this and their hard work and spirit was the reason we won today.“

It was Zamalek’s second win over Esperance this month having defeated the Tunisian champions in the 2020 CAF Super Cup.

“Mohamed Ounajem’s goal came at the perfect time because it gave us a huge confidence boost,” he added.

“It’s good that we scored three goals before we go into the second leg. We believe we can qualify for the semi-finals but a historical game in Rades awaits us next week.”

The second-leg encounter will be played in the Tunisian city of Rades on March 6.