Zamalek succumbed to a humiliating 4-1 away defeat to South Africa's Orlando Pirates in the Champions League group stage to become on the verge of waving the competition goodbye. The hosts took a 27th minute lead through striker Lennox Bacela before Shikabala drew level just two minutes later to end the first half in a 1-1 draw. But Pirates, who thrashed Ahli 3-0 in Egypt a fortnight ago, managed to capitalize on Zamalek's slack defending to add three more goals in the second half through Tlou Segolela, Sifiso Myeni and Daine Klate. Zamalek are now languishing at the bottom of Group A on a single point from three games as Pirates remain in charge with seven. Zamalek entered the game missing striker Ahmed Gaafar as manager Helmi Toulan deployed no recognized frontman, with Shikabala and Ahmed Eid playing deep. A surprise inclusion was understudy keeper Mahmoud Abdul-Rahim 'Gennesh', who was given the nod ahead of stalwart goalie Abdul-Wahed Al-Sayed between the sticks. Second-half breakdown After Pirates midfielder Andile Jali had forced a superb save from Gennesh, the hosts went ahead when Bacela managed to hold off defender Salah Soliman inside the area before turning and slotting past the keeper. Zamalek's reply came just two minutes later when Shikabala latched onto a fine Eid pass to break clear and slide home with aplomb for the equalizer. The visitors thought they were back in the game but just seven minutes after the break, Pirates managed to restore their advantage when an unmarked Segolela brilliantly slotted home past the hapless Gennesh following a fine pass by Bacela. Capping a shambolic defensive display, the blunder of the night belonged to left-back Mohamed Abdul-Shafi who recklessly failed to clear a cross to allow winger Myeni to easily score his side's third. Heading to their 13th group-stage match without a win, Zamalek were hit by a fourth goal through a close-range finish by Klate.
