Zamalek got a first-leg advantage in the African Champions League semifinals after claiming a 4-0 home win over Morocco's Wydad Casablanca on Friday thanks to the latter's unexpected poor performance during the game. A 5-minute goal by Shikabala gave Zamalek an early lead when he received the ball in midfield amid absence of the Wydad's defence then he kicked the ball against the visitors' nets to announce the first goal for the white. Attacking midfielder Ayman Hefny mad use of the Wydad's defence's mistake in the 18th minute when he cut the ball inside the dangerous area and notched a low kick that found the foes' nets to secure the victory for Zamalek. In the second half, hosts Zamalek repeated what they achieved before the break snatching the third goal after only four minutes by striker Bassem Morsi. Attacking midfielder Mostafa Fathi scored the fourth goal through penalty kick in the 73rd minute to finish the game 4-0 win for Zamalek. Morocco's Wydad, who lost the services of their first choice goalkeeper Zouheir Laaroubi and faced the Cairo giants Zamalek with their second choice one Mohamed Akid, threw the towel as they failed to come back to the game. Hosts, Zamalek made use of the visitors' poor performance and goalkeeper lack of experience as the latter made a lot of mistakes that cost misery for Wydad. Friday's victory will make Zamalek's mission in the second-leg easier when they visit Wydad Casablanca in Morocco on 24 September. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
