Zamalek and Ahli played out a 1-1 draw in the Champions League group-stage opener in the presence of some 7000 fans at Gouna Stadium. Ahmed Gaafar gave Zamalek an early eighth minute lead but Ahli star Mohamed Abou-Treika leveled it with a penalty after the break. The draw means that all four teams in Group A are tied on a single point after Leopards had held Orlando Pirates 0-0. The game was labeled as ‘behind closed doors' but the number of fans at Gouna Stadium made a mockery out of the supposed ruling. Gaafar hits early but no win for Zamalek The start was not so unfamiliar for the Whites, with Gaafar slamming home after eight minutes following some slack handling by Sherif Ekrami. Helmi Toulan's men were just happy to sit back and go for counters even though their opposition looked in shambles at the back. Ahli's first attempt on target came after 27 minutes when Treika hit Abdul-Wahed Al-Sayed's body. With the last kick of the first half, Ahli had a big penalty shout when Fathallah appeared to have clipped Abdullah Al-Saied's leg. But Egypt defender Fathallah was found guilty in his next challenge after the break, with Ahmed Abdul-Zaher cleverly winning a penalty despite Salah Soliman covering. The expert Abou-Treika stepped in and made no mistake from 12 yards. Treika almost wins it...trouble-free draw in the end After the goal, Abou-Treika almost finished Zamalek off when his freekick went agonizingly wide of Abdul-Wahed's post. Both teams were gradually running out of gas and a draw looked a good result for all, amid mild tension from stands. Ahli keeper Ekrami went down after appearing to be hit by an object from the Zamalek stands behind him, but the incident went on smoothly. Finally, Abdul-Wahed had to make a crucial save to deny the tireless Abou-Treika in injury time and ensure the even scoreline.
