Zamalek advanced to the CAF Champions League round of 16 after winning a penalty shootout 5-4 against Africa Sports on Sunday in Abidjan. The Ivorians won the match 2-0 to level the aggregate score and seemed on course to reverse a trend of failures against the Egyptians at club and national level but at the end of the day the five-time African Champions upset them. John Michelle Sarri scored both goals from the spot after 44 and 68 minutes. Zamalek went close to scoring an early opener but the effort of Mahmoud Abdul-Razeq "Shikabala" was easily blocked by the keeper. The Egyptian giants were very cautious at the back and relied on counter-attacks. Zamalek's keeper Mohamed Abdul-Monsef was tested on several occasions and made some brilliant saves especially a 41st minute stretch to deny a well-placed free kick. Africa Sports were rewarded by the referee who whistled a doubtful penalty just seconds before the break. Sarri put his team ahead and boosted their hopes for a miraculous comeback. And just 23 minutes into the second half, the Whites were confronted with their worst nightmares as Mahmoud Fathallah was whistled for a handball in the area. And again specialist Sarri scored from the spot to double his team's advantage. Mobulie could have snatched a deadly winner in the dying minutes when he got past Abdul-Monsef but failed to control the ball allowing Amr Al-Safti to make a fine tackle and clear the danger. Mahmoud Fathallah, Ahmed Magdi, Mohamed Abdullah, Sherif Ashraf and Abdul-Halim Ali registered a perfect record for the Whites in the shootout while Peter Tayaho missed the hosts' last kick. Zamalek will face Angola's Interclube in the last 16 phase on May 9th, after the latter ousted Sporting de Praia of Cape Verde.
