Laurent Djam, head coach of Djiboutian club AS Port, discussed his team’s 2-1 defeat to Zamalek in the first leg of the CAF Champions League preliminary round.

The coach acknowledged his side’s difficult start before highlighting the improvements made after halftime following several tactical adjustments.

AS Port Struggled at the Start

Djam explained that AS Port found it difficult to settle into the match against Zamalek.

He noted that the connection between the different lines was not effective early in the game, but the team improved after the break after correcting its mistakes and becoming more organized.

Limited Preparation Before Facing Zamalek

The AS Port coach revealed that he had only a short period to prepare the squad.

He explained that the team had been expected to have a dedicated preparation period for the CAF Champions League, but that opportunity did not materialize.

Djam also emphasized the challenge of facing Zamalek, describing them as a major team with significant experience in the Champions League.

Djam Wants to Correct the Mistakes

The coach said the technical staff had attempted to reduce individual mistakes during the limited preparation period.

However, AS Port made mistakes during the first leg, and Djam hopes the team can correct them before the second match.

The Djiboutian side will aim to build on the lessons learned from the opening encounter and produce a stronger performance in the return leg.

Djam: 2-1 Is an Acceptable Result

Djam considered the 2-1 defeat an acceptable result for AS Port, particularly given Zamalek’s strength and experience in African competitions.

He described facing such a major club in the team’s first experience at this level as a significant opportunity, while admitting that AS Port had been unlucky to draw a strong opponent like Zamalek.

Zamalek and AS Port Set for Cairo Return Leg

Zamalek will host AS Port at Cairo International Stadium for the return leg, with the Egyptian side looking to secure qualification to the next stage of the CAF Champions League.

AS Port, meanwhile, will hope to use the experience gained from the first leg to improve its performance and compete more effectively in the second match.

What did the AS Port coach say about the defeat?

Laurent Djam described the 2-1 defeat as an acceptable result while acknowledging Zamalek’s strength.

Why did AS Port struggle early in the match?

Djam said the team lacked coordination between its lines at the beginning of the game.

Did AS Port have enough preparation time?

No. Djam explained that the team did not have the planned preparation period for the Champions League.

Where will the return leg be played?

The return leg between Zamalek and AS Port will be played at Cairo International Stadium.