Well-off businessman Abbas stepped down as Zamalek president on November 6th, following a series of problems and conflicts inside the Cairo side.

But now he's targeting another stint in the hot seat with a prominent list of board members, including Emam, who boasts a striking pedigree with the club.

"I promise that I would turn Zamalek into the best team in Egypt and Africa if Abbas was reinstated," Emam said.

The Zamalek great, who retired from professional football in the summer of 2008, assured that he opted to endorse Abbas for the club's best interest.

"Abbas adores Zamalek, he will serve the club irrespective of the returns," Emam, who was once appointed in the club's board of directors, elaborated.

"I know him for several years, and I'm pretty sure he's the right man for the job."

Former Zamalek chiefs Kamal Darwish and Mortada Mansour are also taking part in the elections, and Abbas needs to exert huge efforts to beat off their competition.

Zamalek have long suffered from administrative instability in the past years, which abysmally affected them on local and continental fronts.

They last won the Egyptian Premier League title in 2004. Their sole triumph since then came when they lifted the Egyptian Cup trophy in 2008.