Zamalek avenged their 2008's embarrassing cup defeat by Bani Obeid as they destroyed the lower division side 6-0 in the same competition on Friday at Cairo Stadium to reach the round of 16. Ivorian striker Abou Kone was instrumental in the game, hitting a hat-trick (22, 67, 79). Mahmoud Fathallah opened the scoring on five minutes before Hani Saied doubled the White Knights' lead one minute from the quarter-hour mark. Diminutive winger Hazem Emam hit his first goal this season in the 34th minute. Two years ago under the management of Ahmed Refaat, Zamalek faced a baptism of fire after infamously losing 1-0 at Obeid in the cup round of 32. In the same match on Friday, Obeid were completely defenseless and unable to keep up with Hossam Hassan's men. Stranglehold After a cagey start that lasted for few minutes, Zamalek took a stranglehold on the match. Mahmoud Fathallah hit the early opener following a goal-mouth scramble and the Cairo side tightened their grip on the game after taking the lead. Defender Saied was quick to ensure Zamalek's superiority with a second goal when he headed home a Shikabala inch-perfect diagonal cross. Kone could have got his name on the score sheet the next minute when he went one-on-one with the keeper but lost control of the ball. In the 22nd minute, he atoned for the chance he wasted after diverting a Mohamed Abdul-Shafi cross into the net from point-blank range. Twelve minutes later, Emam rose unchallenged by his marker to head Ahmed Ghanem's cross into the net. Obeid Slightly Improved Obeid slightly improved after the break in comparison with the first half. However, Zamalek remained in charge. Ashour Al-Adham and the fully-fit Shika tried their luck but the visitors' goalie blocked their efforts on both occasions. Shikabala and Emam exchanged passes before the latter slid to cut back for Kone, who made no mistake from inside the six-yard box. Abou-Kone completed a treble on 79 minute when he capitalized on a defensive lapse to steal a loose ball and score with ease. Elsewhere, Masri became the third top-flight side to be ousted from the Egyptian Cup upon losing 1-0 to Asyut Petroleum. Military Production and MCDR had been earlier disqualified from the competition.
