Peseiro seeks improvement from Zamalek in second leg against Stellenbosch

Zamalek coach José Peseiro says his side need to improve offensively if they are to win their CAF Confederations Cup quarterfinal tie against Stellenbosch FC and defend their title in the competition.

The two sides played to a 0-0 draw with few opportunities at either end in their first leg encounter at the Cape Town Stadium on Wednesday, which ended in a goalless draw.

“I think in the defensive process, we had a good game. In the offensive process, we did not [have] a good game. I think our team likes more to control the ball position and to control the game. Today, we could not do it in the first half,” said Peseiro.

While not disappointed with his team’s performance or the result, the Portuguese coach wants to see more attacking intent from his side when they host Stellenbosch next Wednesday.

“I'm not sad because you draw 0-0, it's not bad in a way, but I'm not happy because I think we must do more. I think we can play better, involve more in the attack, create more chances, take more of the ball, but I think the best chance in the match was for our team. I accept the draw, but the best chance was for us.

“I prefer to win. That's the point. But I believe, at home, we can beat Stellenbosch. Like I said, we must improve our offensive process, our quality, because we can do it,” he said.

Peseiro, who took the reins at the Egyptian club in February, believes that his side will improve as he spends more time with the squad.

“Zamalek is a big team. We want to do our best. We have only, I think, one month and a half. Until now, we had 30 practises. I am sure that this team can improve. The organisation is good, but I like more the attack than the defensive process.”

Peseiro, who formerly coached the Nigerian national side, praised his opponents for their performance as well as Bafana Bafana for their recent success, commenting on the improvement of South African football.

“I think the opponent, when they try to build more pressure, they disturb us or create some confusion in us. I give value for Stellenbosch. Even when I was in the second half, the first 15 minutes, I think my team lost control of the game.

“Even in the defensive process, Stellenbosch did well. They had good triangles, good dynamics inside and outside the game.

“Stellenbosch, I think, did a good game. But Zamalek must improve, because I know

my players, but we have not had enough time until now to improve our style,” said Peseiro.

“I think the South African national team is a good national team now. [One of] the best five national teams in Africa at this moment. I know that because I played against them in February last year (at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Ivory Coast).”