Zamalek secured their fifth CAF Super Cup crown after beating fierce rivals Al Ahly 4-3 on penalties in a gut-wrenching game in Riyadh on Friday night.
Head coach Marcel Koller and Al Ahly were looking for their ninth title after clinching their last in 2021.
However, Jose Gomes’ Zamalek were equally up for the task at the sold-out Kingdom Arena as the deafening crowd chants took center stage prior to the commencement of the game.
Ahly, winners of the CAF champions league, were favorites against the holders of the CAF Confederation cup, Zamalek, and took the lead one minute before the break.
Wessam Abou Ali dispatched his kick from 12 yards to set Ali on course for yet another famous victory over Zamalek.
However, Nasr Mansi restored parity for Zamalek after 77 minutes, setting up a grand stand finish.
Neither side was able to take their chances as the game traveled the mile into extra-time, with both defences on top of their game as they cancelled each other out and settled for penalties.
Both sides tucked home their first two kicks, with Ahly’s, Yahia Attiyat Allah failing to find the back of the net with his third kick.
Attiyat’s penalty miss was followed by Wessam Abou Ali’s uncharacteristic miss after scoring in the first-half, with Zamalek’s players racing away to celebrate their victory.
Ahly and Zamalek will discover their fate in the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup draw scheduled for October 7 in Cairo, as they prepare for their title defense.
–
Story By Andrews Sefa Bamfo|univers.ug.edu.gh
