CAIRO: A stunning goal by Amr Zaki late in the game gave Zamalek the Egyptian Cup title after a 2-1 victory over ENPPI on Sunday as the Cairo giants ended their title drought. Zamalek went to the lockers room one up, thanks to a controversial penalty by Osama Hassan. Skipper Mohamed Younis drew ENPPI level two minutes past the hour mark but Zaki gave Zamalek a priceless win 10 minutes from time. The combative striker may have played his last match for Zamalek as Premiership side Wigan are interested in signing him in the close season. Zamalek s 21st Cup triumph put an end to a dry spell for the men in white, who last tasted glory in 2004 when they won the Egyptian League title. Just few minutes before kick-off, Zamalek fans pleaded with skipper Hazem Emam not to retire at the end of the season. During the warm-up, all Zamalek players wore Emam s number 14 kit as a sign of appreciation for the 33-year-old s efforts throughout his career. The former Udinese playmaker burst into tears after hearing the fans warm chants. Emam previously revealed that he would retire from professional football following the Egyptian Cup. He hoped to end his career on a high note by helping the team end their three-season title drought. ENPPI were by far the better side in the early stages and were unlucky not to stun the home crowd on several occasions. Lively right-back Ahmed Al-Muhammadi could have put the petroleum club ahead after nine minutes. He neatly controlled a deft through pass at the right side of the penalty area after the ball evaded a desperate tackle from Mohamed Abdullah. Zamalek keeper Mohamed Abdul-Monsef rushed out before Al-Muhammadi coolly chipped the ball over him but he was unlucky to see his effort strike the side-netting. ENPPI s complete domination over midfield helped them launch several raids on Abdul-Monsef. Zamalek had the first chance through Shikabala in the 13th minute when the talented winger cut inside and hit a curling shot from inside the area that went over the crossbar. Two minutes later, ENPPI midfielder Adel Mostafa s deflected shot narrowly missed the target. Egyptian international Al-Muhammadi continued to bother Zamalek defense by his penetrations down the right flank. He provided a pinpoint cross to Alaa Eissa in the 28th minute. The latter s header at the near post seemed to be on its way into the net, but it accidentally struck Abdul-Monsef s legs. Zamalek were awarded a controversial penalty four minutes later. ENPPI keeper Amer Amer allegedly brought down Gamal Hamza, who aimed to get on the end of Zaki s through pass. Hassan stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way as Zamalek grabbed the lead against the run of play. ENPPI pushed forward searching for the equalizer, but their approach almost proved costly just before the break as they left huge gaps at the back. Abdul-Monsef launched a huge ball upfield and the unmarked Shikabala raced onto it and went clear on goal. His low shot went past Amer but was denied by the post. Younis deservedly claimed the equalizer for ENPPI in the 62nd minute. Ivorian striker Vincent Die Foneye towered above Mahmoud Fathallah heading towards the goal but his effort struck the woodwork. Younis was the quickest to react as he nodded in from close range to draw ENPPI level. Zamalek had to thank Abdul-Monsef for keeping the team on level terms with ENPPI after superbly blocking a fierce shot from Eissa in the 68th minute. Shikabala wasted a clear-cut opportunity to restore Zamalek s lead 11 minutes before the final whistle. He controlled Hamza s pass inside the area but his shot from a tight angle was palmed away by Amer. Zaki proved the difference when he netted Zamalek s winner in a superb fashion. He picked up a pass on the edge of the area and brilliantly back-heeled the ball into his path to trick two challengers before hitting a low shot into the bottom corner.
