CAF Confed Cup: Zamalek Avenge Gor Loss To Go Top Of Group D

CAIRO, Egypt- Egyptian giants Zamalek SC got their revenge against Gor Mahia FC as they retaliated with a 4-0 victory in their CAF Confederations Cup Group D encounter at the Borg El Arab Stadium on Sunday night.

The result meant that Zamalek shot to the top of the table with eight points, one ahead of Petro de Atletico and NA Hussein Dey whilst Gor are at the bottom with six.

Gor’s last group game is a home tie against the Angolans Petro and still have a realistic chance to qualify for the quarters of the continental competition, with Zamalek away in Algiers for the last round of matches.

The Egyptians scored twice in either half to match the number of goals they conceded at the Kasarani Stadium on February 3.

The record Kenyan league champions were coming off a 1-0 loss in Algeria to Hussein Dey, a match that was filled with controversy due to the level of officiating displayed by Malian referee Boubou Traore.

Irate Kenyans led by the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) have since written to the continental body, CAF, appealing for the suspension of the aforementioned official.

Harambee Stars record goal scorer Dennis Oliech highlighted the striking options that Hassan Oktay chose to leave on the bench, joined by Nicholas Kipkirui and Ugandan Erisa Ssekisambu.

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Zamalek had tons of support in the stands who continuously cheered on their home team as they sought revenge for the humiliating 4-2 defeat they suffered in Nairobi last month.

Mahmoud Alaa broke the deadlock for the hosts in the 11th minute with a headed effort after he was well found by an Abdallah Gomaa free kick.

Sammy Onyango was shown the first yellow card in the 14th after a challenge on Hamdi Naguez.

Gor found it difficult to create space and had not found a rhythm by the 20th minute as the home side continued to enjoy the lion’s share of possession.

It all paid off in the 25th and yet again Zamalek exploited Gor’s inability to properly deal with set-pieces and Ibrahim Obama finished well with the outside of his right foot, the ball flying past Fredrick Odhiambo for a 2-0 lead.

The Egyptians seemed to have corrected their mistakes from recent past as they dominated proceedings and continued to pile pressure on the visitors, Zizo coming close five minutes later with a right-footed shot.

Naguez then tested Odhiambo with a snap shot that the custodian parried before Harun Shakava combined with his goalkeeper to rescue Gor with a scramble off the line following a Zizo header.

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Kenyan international Philemon Otieno did well with three minutes left in the first half, with a last inch well-timed tackle to prevent Omar el Said from getting a shot on goal.

Zamalek took the lead into the break and Gor returned for the second half with the clear intention of getting a goal back in the tie as Oliech came on to replace Boniface Omondi.

Oliech did extremely well to put a good ball through to Tuyisenge in the 52nd but the Rwandese forward miscued his shot, doing little to trouble Mahmoud Abdel Rahim in the Zamalek goal.

Oktay made his second change of the game five minutes later with Muguna coming off for Bernard Ondiek as the Kenyans continued to seek a way back into the game.

Ernest Wendo was the next player to go down into the referees book in the 64th after a foul on Obama, who in turn almost made it three but his rifled effort came off Odhiambo’s face and wen out for a corner.

Ibrahim Hassan was Zamalek’s first change in the 69th, replacing Zizo who the fans were not pleased to see him jog off the pitch.

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Hamid Ahadad left Otieno and Shakava in his wake in the 75th but Charles Momanyi cleared his ball into the penalty area away.

Gor made their last change of the game a minute later as George Odhiambo came on to replace Kahata.

It just was not to be for the Kenyans as substitute Hassan put Ferjani Sassi through after great build-up play and the latter showed some fancy footwork to skip past the keeper and tap it in, 3-0 to the hosts.

The Egyptians were not done and made it four a minute later, El Said getting his name on the scoresheet with a simple tap in from close range.

There was not any other real chance from either team as the hosts seemed to be content with the result and held out for the convincing win and all three points.

Gor will need nothing but victory in their last group game at home to Petro Ateltico on March 17 if they are to stand a chance at qualifying for the last eight of the competition.

They are set to return home tomorrow, before resuming their domestic title defence on Wednesday against Kakamega Homeboyz FC at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos.