With a guaranteed spot at the last four of a major continental championship for the first time in a decade, Egyptian giants Zamalek are still eyeing victory against South Africa’s Orlando Pirates in the ultimate Group B clash on Sunday at the Petro Sport Stadium, Cairo.
The two sides have already qualified for the semis but there is the top spot to play for when the duo lock horns in the Egyptian capital.
Both sides share top spot with 12 points apiece, but a draw will see Zamalek finishing as winners of the group via head-to-head after beating the South Africans 2-1 in the reverse fixture in Durban last July. Lehlohonolo Majoro fired the Buccaneers into the lead before Maarouf Youssef and Mustafa Fathi scored late to give Zamalek a vital away win.
The two sides have already qualified for the semis but there is the top spot to play for when the duo lock horns in the Egyptian capital.
Both sides share top spot with 12 points apiece, but a draw will see Zamalek finishing as winners of the group via head-to-head after beating the South Africans 2-1 in the reverse fixture in Durban last July. Lehlohonolo Majoro fired the Buccaneers into the lead before Maarouf Youssef and Mustafa Fathi scored late to give Zamalek a vital away win.
The White Knights last appearance at the last four a major continental championship was in the CAF Champions League in 2005, losing lost 4-1 on aggregate to bitterest rivals and eventual winners, Al Ahly. Since then, the five time African champions have been living in the shadows of their impressive record.
But they have bounced back in grand style this term. The newly crowned Egyptian champions have recorded four wins in five games thus far. At least a point against Pirates will see them emerge as winners of the group and set up a date with the runner-up of Group A for a place at the final.
“It’s a difficult game after all, though we are already in the last four”, Zamalek coach Jesualdo Ferreira said.
“Orland Pirates is a very good team and they want to win the group. It’s the same situation with us. We are going to play to secure the top spot.”
Zamalek have received a moral boost ahead of the encounter, after striker Bassem Morsi netted a hat-trick on international duty with Egypt in their 5-1 drubbing of Chad in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in N’Djamena at the weekend.
New recruit Mahmoud “Kahraba” Abdel Moneim was also on target for the Pharaohs in the squad that had fellow White Knights, Ahmed El Shennawy and Hazem Emam amongst the starters.
“It is an honour to score with the national team”, Morsy told Cafonline.com.
“I’m enjoying a great streak with the Pharaohs, scoring six goals in just four caps. I hope to replicate this with Zamalek in the Orange CAF Confederation Cup”, added the 24-year old forward.
The match is scheduled to kick-off at 18H30 GMT in New Cairo suburb of the Egyptian capital.
Congolese side AC Leopards will entertain Tunisia’s CS Sfaxien in other Group B match in Dolisie, with pride at stake for both sides.
In Group A, holders Ahly will engage Stade Malien of Mali in Suez while Etoile du Sahel and Esperance square off in the Tunisia derby in Sousse, both on Saturday. Ahly and Etoile are through to the last four but have their sights fixed on the top spot.
Fixtures
Group A
12.09.2015 19H30 Etoile du Sahel (Tunisia) vs Esperance (Tunisia)
12.09.2015 20H30 Al Ahly (Egypt) vs Stade Malien (Mali)
Group B
13.09.2015 15H30 AC Leopards (Congo) vs CS Sfaxien (Tunisia)
13.09.2015 20H30 Zamalek (Egypt) vs Orlando Pirates (South Africa)
*All times are in local time
But they have bounced back in grand style this term. The newly crowned Egyptian champions have recorded four wins in five games thus far. At least a point against Pirates will see them emerge as winners of the group and set up a date with the runner-up of Group A for a place at the final.
“It’s a difficult game after all, though we are already in the last four”, Zamalek coach Jesualdo Ferreira said.
“Orland Pirates is a very good team and they want to win the group. It’s the same situation with us. We are going to play to secure the top spot.”
Zamalek have received a moral boost ahead of the encounter, after striker Bassem Morsi netted a hat-trick on international duty with Egypt in their 5-1 drubbing of Chad in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in N’Djamena at the weekend.
New recruit Mahmoud “Kahraba” Abdel Moneim was also on target for the Pharaohs in the squad that had fellow White Knights, Ahmed El Shennawy and Hazem Emam amongst the starters.
“It is an honour to score with the national team”, Morsy told Cafonline.com.
“I’m enjoying a great streak with the Pharaohs, scoring six goals in just four caps. I hope to replicate this with Zamalek in the Orange CAF Confederation Cup”, added the 24-year old forward.
The match is scheduled to kick-off at 18H30 GMT in New Cairo suburb of the Egyptian capital.
Congolese side AC Leopards will entertain Tunisia’s CS Sfaxien in other Group B match in Dolisie, with pride at stake for both sides.
In Group A, holders Ahly will engage Stade Malien of Mali in Suez while Etoile du Sahel and Esperance square off in the Tunisia derby in Sousse, both on Saturday. Ahly and Etoile are through to the last four but have their sights fixed on the top spot.
Fixtures
Group A
12.09.2015 19H30 Etoile du Sahel (Tunisia) vs Esperance (Tunisia)
12.09.2015 20H30 Al Ahly (Egypt) vs Stade Malien (Mali)
Group B
13.09.2015 15H30 AC Leopards (Congo) vs CS Sfaxien (Tunisia)
13.09.2015 20H30 Zamalek (Egypt) vs Orlando Pirates (South Africa)
*All times are in local time
By: Cafonline.com
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