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VIDEO: Zamalek survive Ivorian scare to reach Champions League last 16 Zamalek lose 2-1 to Africa Sports but qualify for the African Champions League round of 16 on the away goal rule
A late penalty by Amr Zaki lifted Zamalek to the Champions League round of 16 on the away goal rule following a 2-2 aggregate draw on Sunday. Africa Sports looked on course to spring an upset when two headers from Soumaila Belem overturned the 1-0 first-leg deficit but striker Zaki converted a penalty with eight minutes remaining as five-time African champions Zamalek survived an embarrassing exit from the preliminary round. The Cairo giants, who looked affected by lack of domestic action after the Egyptian Premier League was cancelled in the wake of the Port Said disaster, are bidding to win Africa's premier club competition for the first time since 2002. Chances were few and far between in a dull first-half as neither side was able to break down the dogged backlines. Zamalek, missing the spark of absent winger Mahmoud Abdel-Razek “Shikabala”, were sluggish, with veteran midfielder Ahmed Hassan unable to feed strike duo Zaki and Razak Omotoyossi. The visitors' only chance fell to Zaki five minutes before the break when he robbed a defender and tried to find the net from a tight angle but his shot was superbly tipped over by the keeper. Zamalek were caught by surprise in the 57th minute when Africa Sports opened the scoring after some slack defending by the White Knights. The poorly-positioned defenders allowed several Africa Sports players to rise in front of goalkeeper Abdel-Wahed El-Sayed as Belem headed home following a corner. The guardian alleged that he was fouled. The hosts, playing in front of few spectators in a scorching heat, extended their lead in the 69th minute when El-Sayed misjudged a cross as Belem towered to head goalwards. Defender Mahmoud Fathallah cleared the ball but the referee adjudged it to have crossed the line, sparking a furious reaction from Zamalek players. Television replays were inconclusive as to whether the goal was valid. The introduction of Zamalek's diminutive playmaker Saied Mohamed, nicknamed Qotta (cat), injected zeal and helped the team lay siege to Africa Sports' area. The pressure paid dividends on 82 minutes when Qotta was upended in the area. Zaki sent the keeper the wrong way from the spot to lift Zamalek to the next round. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter:@AO Sports)
