Egyptian club Zamalek overturned a 2-1 first-leg setback in the 2023/24 CAF Confederation Cup final to secure victory over RS Berkane from Morocco, with a 1-0 win in the decisive second-leg final match at the Cairo International Stadium on Sunday.
Zamalek after succumbing to a 2-1 defeat in the first leg in Morocco, claimed the title on the away goals rule after a 2-2 aggregate draw, making it their second CAF Confederation Cup trophy in history after winning the first in 2019.
Jose Gomes’s team started the game very strongly, backed by the unwavering support of their home crowd, packing the 75,000-seat Cairo International Stadium to capacity.
In the lineup for Zamalek’s match, Senegalese player Ibrahima Ndiaye replaced Nigerian winger Samson Akinyoola from the first leg in Morocco. Berkane, on the other hand, maintained their lineup, with Burkina Faso’s Issoufou Dayo as captain in defense and Senegal’s Paul Bassene leading the offensive charge.
In the 23rd minute, the White Knights seized the opportunity when Ahmed Hamdi scored the sole goal of the game, securing victory for Zamalek. RS Berkane ended the match with 10 players after defender Hamza El Moussaoui received a red card during added time.
The club will earn a whopping USD 2 million from CAF for emerging Champions and also have the opportunity to take part in the CAF Super Cup for the sixth time in their history as they await the winner of the Champions League Final between Al Ahly and Esperance De Tunis.
Zamalek boss Jose Gomes has become the first Portuguese coach to win the CAF Confederation Cup. The Egyptian club has now become the joint second-most successful club in the history of the Confederation Cup after winning the competition for the second time behind three-time winners CS Sfaxien.
–
Story by: David Kwaku Dzaku| univers.ug.edu.gh
