Hassan first criticized CAF's decision to choose Algerian Mohamed Meknous for the decisive round of 32 return leg in Cairo, implying that the latter could be biased toward the Tunisian outfit.

A day later, Ibrahim said Meknous is not the right referee for the match because he speaks French, which is a common language with Africain's players.

"Apart from the fact that Tunisia and Algeria are neighbors, appointing a referee who speaks the same language as our opponents represents one of the biggest problems," he told FilGoal.com.

"Africain's players and the judge speak the same language - French - and this is a serious issue that raises questions over the process of choosing him.

"Picking a lousy referee would have been better (than appointing one who speaks French)."

Zamalek had embarrassingly succumbed to a 4-2 loss at Africain on Sunday, a result that left the Whites with a mountain to climb.