Zamalek failed to end a four-match winless streak in the Cairo derby after settling for a 2-2 draw with arch-rivals Ahli in the CAF Champions League on Sunday. Ahli took an early lead through Angolan striker Flavio Amado, who notched his fourth goal in the Cairo derby. But Zamalek forward Gamal Hamza continued his habit of scoring against Ahli to grab the equalizer shortly before the break. Junior Agogo struck home six minutes after restart to put Zamalek ahead but Mohamed Abou-Treika, as usual, came to Ahli's rescue in the 70th minute. Ahli ensured their progress to the Champions League semi final as Group A winners. They lie on top with 11 points, five clear of second-placed Dynamos with one match to go. Despite the draw, Zamalek still have a chance to book a last-four berth in the elite competition. They have five points, one short of Zimbabwean side Dynamos, whom they face in the last group stage game. Zamalek would go through should they beat Dynamos and Ahli survive a defeat against ASEC Mimosas, who also have five points. Early Opener Zamalek received a major blow few minutes before kick off when sweeper Hani Saied sustained an injury while warming up. Ahmed Magdi, who was due to start on the left, switched to the back to cover the absence of Egypt international Saied. A slack defending by Zamalek's backline gifted Ahli the opener after eight minutes. Flavio nipped in between two markers to receive Gilberto's free-kick with a free header that found its way past the stranded Abdul-Wahed Al-Sayed. Ahli remained better in terms of possession after notching the opener. Their strikers repeatedly overcame Zamalek defenders in set pieces. A header by Ahmed Hassan went over the bar while Al-Sayed had to be on full alert to block another header from defender Rami Adel. The Red Devils also dominated the midfield, thanks to the absence of Zamalek's influential skipper Ayman Abdul-Aziz.
Hamza scored the equalizer Mohamed Aboul-Ella partnered Ahmed Abdul-Raouf in the heart of Zamalek's midfield, but neither was able to cut short Ahli's attacking attempts. Deserved Equalizer Zamalek heavily improved in the last 15 minutes and deservedly claimed the equalizer. They were largely helped by Osama Hassan's penetrating runs down the left flank Hamza, who was booed by Ahli fans for his repeated theatrical dives, restored parity four minutes before the break after rounding off a smart move. Left-back Hassan latched onto Mohamed Abdullah's deft through pass on the left to beat the offside trap. He cut inside, sidestepped defender Wael Gomaa and shot from a tight angle but Ahli keeper Amir Abdul-Hamid parried his effort. Hassan gathered the ball once again and fed Hamza, who received the pass with a feint to slot home into the empty net as Abdul-Hamid was still lying on the ground. Ahli playmaker Abou-Treika had a penalty claim waved away by the referee in the first-half's additional time as Aboul-Ella was adjudged to have tugged him in the area. Dreadful Errors Naive defensive errors cost both sides in a lethargic second period. Ghanaian striker Agogo put Zamalek in front in the 51st minute as the White fans erupted into ecstasy. Abdullah skipped past Ahli captain Shadi Mohamed before feeding Hamza, who turned and threaded a fine pass into the path of Agogo. The former Nottingham Forest man escaped his marker, Rami Adel, to fire a low shot into the bottom corner of the net. But Zamalek couldn't hold onto their lead, thanks to common defensive blunders. In the 70th minute, Abou-Treika caught Magdi ball-watching to control Flavio's pass inside the area and send a precise low shot home with the outside of his right foot.
