Zamalek SC edges past ZESCO United with 1-0 victory in CAF Confederation Cup clash on 2025-11-23

Zamalek SC secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over ZESCO United in Match Round 1 of the CAF Confederation Cup at the Cairo International Stadium. The only goal of the match came in the 42nd minute, courtesy of a clinical finish by Seifeddine Jaziri from Zamalek SC.

The game started with both teams showing great determination and intensity, looking to gain an early advantage. Zamalek SC controlled possession in the midfield, while ZESCO United relied on quick counter-attacks to threaten the opposition defense.

Zamalek SC’s breakthrough came towards the end of the first half when Seifeddine Jaziri capitalized on a defensive error from ZESCO United and slotted the ball past the goalkeeper to give his team the lead.

In the second half, ZESCO United pushed forward in search of an equalizer, creating a few promising opportunities. However, Zamalek SC’s defense stood firm, denying their opponents any clear-cut chances.

The match ended with Zamalek SC holding on to their slender lead to secure all three points in their opening game of the CAF Confederation Cup campaign.

The victory will provide a confidence boost for Zamalek SC as they look to build momentum in the competition. On the other hand, ZESCO United will be disappointed with the result but will take positives from their performance and look to bounce back in the upcoming matches.

Overall, it was a closely contested encounter between two competitive teams, with Zamalek SC emerging as the victors thanks to Seifeddine Jaziri’s decisive goal in the first half. Both teams showed great spirit and determination, making it an exciting match for the fans in attendance and those watching around the world.

• Zamalek SC will play with Kaizer Chiefs. November 30 at 13:00 (GMT), on FNB Stadium.
• ZESCO United will play with AL Masry. November 30 at 13:00 (GMT), on Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.

Zamalek SC

• Mohamed Hussein Awad Moussa (7.3)
• Omar Mahmoud El Sayed Gaber (7.5)
• Mahmoud Hamdi Mahmoud Hamouda Attia (7.2)
• Hossam Abdelmaguid Abdelsalam Abdelmaguid (7.6)
• Ahmed Mohamed Abou El Fotouh Mohamed (8.6)
• Mohamed Mohamed Shehata Mahmoud (7.2)
• Nabil Emad Al El Mahdy (6.9)
• Nasser Maher Abdelhamid Abdelhamid El Nouhi (7.3)
• Juan Alvina Bezerra (6.9)
• Seifeddine Jaziri (7.3)
• Ahmed Sherif Mostafa Kamal (6.7)

ZESCO United

Substitutions:

Zamalek SC

• Ahmed Sherif Mostafa Kamal (Abdalla Mahmoud El Said Bekhit, 61)
• Seifeddine Jaziri (Oday Ibrahim Mohammad Dabbagh, 69)
• Nabil Emad Al El Mahdy (Mahmoud Gehad Mohamed Gomaa, 69)
• Mahmoud Gehad Mohamed Gomaa (Adam Hamza Kaied, 87)
• Nasser Maher Abdelhamid Abdelhamid El Nouhi (Francisco Gonçalves Sacalumbo, 87)

ZESCO United

• Abraham Siankombo (Amine Hiver, 68)
• Solomon Sakala
• Lindo Thembinkosi Mkhonta
• Freddy Michael Kouablan

Ball possession:

In a thrilling encounter between Zamalek SC and ZESCO United, Zamalek SC dominated possession with an impressive 73% of the ball compared to ZESCO United’s 27%. The match was characterized by a flurry of shots on goal, with Zamalek SC leading the charge with 14 shots on target, 6 of which tested the opposition’s goalkeeper. The standout performer in terms of shooting prowess was Juan Alvina Bezerra, who was the most active player in front of goal for Zamalek SC.

On the other hand, ZESCO United managed to create opportunities of their own, registering 8 shots on target, 4 of which found the target. Lindo Thembinkosi Mkhonta was a standout player for ZESCO United, consistently hitting the mark with his shots on goal.

Overall, the match was a showcase of attacking intent from both teams, with Zamalek SC’s dominance in possession and shots on target ultimately proving decisive. The fans were treated to a spectacle of footballing prowess as both teams pushed forward in search of goals, making for an exciting and entertaining contest.

Passes:

In a riveting encounter between Zamalek SC and ZESCO United, Ahmed Mohamed Abou El Fotouh Mohamed of Zamalek SC showcased his exceptional passing skills, leading his team to a commanding victory. Mohamed displayed remarkable precision with a pass accuracy of 91%, completing 92 passes with ease.

On the opposing side, Leonard Mulenga of ZESCO United put up a valiant effort with a pass accuracy of 83%, completing 31 passes throughout the match. However, it was Mohamed who stole the show with his exceptional performance on the field.

Not only did Mohamed excel in passing accuracy, but he also made a significant impact with 3 key passes, creating crucial opportunities for his team to capitalize on. Benedict Chepeshi of ZESCO United also made his mark with 1 key pass, but it was not enough to match Mohamed’s impressive contribution.

Overall, Zamalek SC’s victory can be attributed in part to Mohamed’s outstanding passing display, solidifying his position as a key playmaker for his team. As the final whistle blew, it was clear that Mohamed’s passing prowess had played a pivotal role in securing victory for Zamalek SC in this thrilling match.

Defense:

In a tightly contested match between Zamalek SC and ZESCO United, defensive prowess took center stage as both teams showcased their ability to disrupt opposition attacks with impressive interceptions and blocks.

ZESCO United emerged as the dominant force in terms of interceptions, tallying a total of 14 interceptions throughout the game. Kabaso Chongo led the way for ZESCO United with 4 interceptions, showcasing his astute reading of the game and ability to anticipate his opponents’ moves.

On the other hand, Zamalek SC put up a valiant defensive effort, totaling 6 interceptions during the match. Ahmed Mohamed Abou El Fotouh Mohamed stood out for Zamalek SC with 4 interceptions, demonstrating his tenacity and commitment to breaking up ZESCO United’s attacking plays.

When it came to timely blocks, ZESCO United continued to assert their defensive solidity, registering 2 crucial blocks during the game. Shemmy Mayembe made a notable contribution with 1 block, showcasing his willingness to put his body on the line to deny Zamalek SC scoring opportunities.

In contrast, Zamalek SC faced challenges in executing effective blocks, failing to record any blocks during the match. This highlighted an area for improvement for Zamalek SC as they aim to enhance their defensive resilience in future encounters.

Overall, both teams displayed commendable defensive performances, with ZESCO United showcasing a higher level of defensive efficiency through their impressive interception and blocking contributions. As Zamalek SC continues to refine their defensive tactics, they will look to enhance their interception and blocking capabilities to bolster their defensive solidity in upcoming matches.

Face-to-face:

In a highly-contested match between Zamalek SC and ZESCO United, the face-to-face duels for the ball were a key aspect of the game. Leading the charge for their respective teams in these intense battles were Ahmed Mohamed Abou El Fotouh Mohamed of Zamalek SC with an impressive 10 duels and Detan Ogundare of ZESCO United with 6 duels.

The clash between these two talented players epitomized the competitive spirit of the match, with both players showcasing their determination and skill in every encounter. Ahmed Mohamed Abou El Fotouh Mohamed’s tenacity and ability to win crucial duels proved to be instrumental for Zamalek SC, while Detan Ogundare’s resilience and defensive prowess kept ZESCO United in the game.

As the game unfolded, the face-to-face fights for the ball between Ahmed Mohamed Abou El Fotouh Mohamed and Detan Ogundare provided a captivating subplot to the overall contest. Their individual battles added an extra layer of excitement for the fans, who were treated to a display of skill, strength, and tactical awareness.

Ultimately, Zamalek SC emerged victorious in a hard-fought battle, with Ahmed Mohamed Abou El Fotouh Mohamed’s commanding presence in the duels proving to be a decisive factor. However, Detan Ogundare’s valiant efforts for ZESCO United should not go unnoticed, as he displayed great determination and commitment throughout the match.

In conclusion, the face-to-face duels for the ball between Ahmed Mohamed Abou El Fotouh Mohamed and Detan Ogundare added a thrilling dimension to the match, highlighting the competitive nature of football and the importance of individual battles within the broader context of a game. Their performances will be remembered as key moments in an exciting encounter between two talented teams.

Fouls:

Yellow cards:

• Nabil Emad Al El Mahdy (Zamalek SC) at 16 minute
• Mahmoud Gehad Mohamed Gomaa (Zamalek SC) at 83 minute
• Lindo Thembinkosi Mkhonta (ZESCO United) at 55 minute

The last five games (including this match):

• Zamalek SC – W
• ZESCO United – L

Top 5 CAF Confederation Cup scorers:

1. Bonheur Mugisha (1, AL Masry)
2. Chadoma Mukeni (1, Maniema Union)
3. Christian Balako (1, Maniema Union)
4. Dillan Peter Solomons (1, Kaizer Chiefs)
5. Mohamed El Sayed Hashem (1, AL Masry)

Line-ups:

Next games:

• Zamalek SC will play with Kaizer Chiefs. November 30 at 13:00 (GMT), on FNB Stadium.
• ZESCO United will play with AL Masry. November 30 at 13:00 (GMT), on Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.