Carteron: Zamalek will be ready for Raja and Mazembe

Zamalek coach Patrice Carteron

Saturday Mar 07, 2020. 12:00

Zamalek coach Patrice Carteron says his side deserved to qualify for the CAF Champions League semi-finals.

The Egyptian giants secured their place in the last four despite losing 1-0 to Tunisian champions Esperance de Tunis in the quarter-final second-leg clash on Friday night.

Carteron’s side won the tie 3-2 on aggregate and the accomplished French coach has reflected on the team’s performance.

“We deserved the qualification, we beat the champions of the past two editions, the players performed bravely,” Carteron told the media.

“Our goal was harder to achieve after conceding the early goal. We were also unable to complete any counterattacks that could’ve been converted into goals. Yet we had a really unique competitive spirit which was needed to beat such a big team.

“Honestly, our goal was to reach the semi-finals, we didn’t create many chances and we made it more difficult for ourselves. We didn’t want to concede an early goal but that’s what happened and we were able to focus on the small details,” he added.

Zamalek will now face the winner between Moroccan giants Raja Casablanca and DR Congolese champions TP Mazembe in the tournament’s semi-finals.

“Mazembe and Raja are two big teams it won’t be an easy game. It will be difficult for me psychologically as I’m very close to both clubs,” Carteron, who has coached both Raja and Mazembe, added.

“May the best team win and in either case it will be a tough game. The first leg will be away which can be a double-edge sword but the second leg will be at home and we’re awaiting the support of the Zamalek fans,” he concluded.