Burkinabe Cisse gives Zamalek much-needed killer instinct

In-form striker Abdoulaye Cisse scores five goals in his last four appearances to help Zamalek maintain their impressive run in the Egyptian league and African Champions League

Zamalek coach Jorvan Vieira is credited with molding some exciting youngsters into an increasingly creative side but he was left to rue missed opportunities in front of goal in the early stages of the season.
Lone striker Ahmed Gaafar, who used to spearhead Zamalek's attack, scored some decisive goals as the Cairo giants made their best-ever Egyptian Premier League start but he hardly won over the team's demanding fans.
The Zamalek faithful criticized him for squandering too many easy chances and Burkinabe striker Abdoulaye Cisse, who has struggled to play regularly since his arrival in the summer of 2012, made the most of his teammate's shortcomings to emerge as a lethal finisher.
The 29-year-old joined Zamalek from fellow Egyptian side Masry but found limited opportunities to prove his worth, with a lengthy stoppage of domestic football following last year's Port Said disaster restricting him to a few appearances in the African Champions League.
Gaafar got the nod ahead of him in the early stages of the Premier League this season but Cisse outshone him when he was given the chance, demonstrating his efficiency in front of goal and giving Brazilian boss Vieira food for thought.
Although not a great dribbler nor the kind of deep-lying forwards who can roam down the flanks and carve out openings for their teammates, Cisse's aerial prowess and goal-poaching abilities came in handy for a team that is yearning to end its nine-year league drought.
He stole the limelight in a league game against Dakhleya last month when he was introduced as a second-half substitute, netting the crucial goal with two minutes remaining to give Zamalek a 2-1 victory and maintain their winning start to the season.
His initial downward header following a corner was blocked by the keeper but he made no mistake on the follow-up to prompt Vieira to include him the starting line-up in a vital African Champions League clash against Saint George in Ethiopia, where he excelled to rescue the club.
Zamalek risked the prospect of exiting the Champions League at the last-16 stage after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Saint George in Cairo, a game in which Cisse impressed to score a late goal that kept alive the team's hopes of avoiding a stunning elimination.
His most valuable contribution came in the second leg on a muddy pitch. He opened the scoring as early as the second minute with a powerful header before Saint George overturned the deficit with two quick-fire goals.
However, Cisse rose to the occasion when he leapt at the near post to head home a right-wing cross two minutes from time and lift Zamalek to the Champions League group-stage on the away goal rule following a 3-3 aggregate draw.
He continued from where he left off in Ethiopia, scoring another goal in a 2-1 defeat by Petrojet before scoring the only goal in a 1-0 victory over Arab Contractors, taking his tally to nine goals in 16 appearances this season.
Gaafar is likely to be demoted to the bench, giving Cisse further chances to cement his place as a first-team regular.
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