Egypt's Zamalek made sure they will not suffer a similar embarrassment to last season's when they demolished CotonTchad 7-0 in Cairo in the first leg of the African Confederation Cup second round on Saturday. Rejuvenated winger Mostafa Fathi and Congolese striker Kabongo Kasongo scored two goals apiece as Zamalek ran riot to all but secure their place in the third round, which will also comprise 32 teams. Last March, Zamalek suffered a shock Confederation exit at the same round after losing to Ethiopia's Wolaitta Dicha 4-3 on penalties following a 2-2 aggregate draw. The Cairo giants needed 11 minutes to go ahead, winger Mahmoud Kahraba firing home after a pull-back from left-back Abdallah Gomaa. In-form Tunisian midfielder Ferjani Sassi doubled the lead with a glancing header four minutes later and Kasongo added a third on 23 minutes after a fine individual effort, rounding the keeper and slotting into an empty net. Three minutes later, Fathi made it 4-0 with a half-volley following an inviting cross from Gomaa before Kasongo scored his second of the night, converting a low cross from Tunisian right-back Hamdi Nagguez. There were two more goals in the second half, Fathi volleying a cross from Kahraba into the roof of the net and substitute Omar El-Saied completing the rout with eight minutes remaining. Zamalek, winners of five Champions League titles, still wasted several goal-scoring chances but they should not face any troubles advancing to the next round as they eye their first Confederation Cup crown in history. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
