After Zamalek was held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by Dreams FC in the first leg of their TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup semifinal in Cairo, coach Jose Gomes acknowledged his team has to play more clinically.

The former African champions dominated the Ghanaian underdogs for extended stretches on Sunday, but they were unable to capitalise on their dominance and missed numerous opportunities at the Cairo Stadium.

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“We missed speed and playing our way against Dreams,” said the Portuguese boss.

“There were some technical errors and we did not play optimally, but we had many positions that qualified us to win and decide the match.”

The White Knights’ brilliant winger Shikabala, attacker Mostafa Shalaby, and substitute Ibrahima Ndaye were all guilty of passing up good chances.

“Unfortunately, we were not able to achieve victory and the first half of the semi-final match ended,” added Gomes.

“We now need to focus and play the second half well in Ghana.”

In order to avoid losing the competition, Zamalek will need to be more effective in Kumasi the following weekend.

Dreams can advance on away goals if they can keep the Egyptians out of the game once more.

Gomes knows his team will perform better in Ghana, but he still believes they need to do better in the last third.

“Things will be very different in the return match, especially with the grass, humidity and temperature, and even if things are like that, I trust the players,” he said.

“We expected more from the players in the match regarding the way we played.

“We had many chances and did not score, and it is possible that we will score in Ghana, even if at least one goal.”

The onus will be on Zamalek’s misfiring frontline to find their scoring touch again and maintain their ambitions of winning the league, with an away goal potentially proving decisive.