Zamalek start CAF Champions League campaign with win over AS Port

Zamalek began their CAF Champions League preliminary-round campaign with a 2-0 victory over AS Port, with Mohamed Shehata and Chico Banza scoring the goals.

Shehata opened the scoring during the first half after Banza made a determined run into the penalty area from the left. The Zamalek forward sent a low cross towards goal which the AS Port goalkeeper could only parry, allowing Shehata to finish into an unguarded net.

Banza then added the second after the interval, heading in from Ahmed Abdel Rahim’s cross following a corner from the right.

The result gave Zamalek control of the tie, although AS Port attempted to reduce the deficit with pressure in the closing stages. Zamalek’s defence remained organised and prevented the home side from creating a clear route back into the match.

AS Port had an early opportunity when a right-sided corner was delivered into the penalty area and fell to Savo Komson, whose shot went wide of the right-hand post. Zamalek responded with efforts from outside the box by Abdullah El Said, one of which was blocked by the defence while another went well wide.

Zamalek took the lead after 10 minutes. Before that, Ahmed Khodari had sent a long-range effort narrowly past the right post, while AS Port’s Nadhifi forced a good save from Zamalek goalkeeper Mohamed Sobhi with a shot from inside the penalty area.

Banza was at the centre of several of Zamalek’s attacking moves. He was later caught offside after positioning himself behind the AS Port defensive line, but continued to provide a threat on the left.

Hossam Ashraf went close to extending Zamalek’s advantage before the second goal. His effort from inside the penalty area was brilliantly saved by AS Port goalkeeper Mokhtar, who collided with the post as the ball was diverted behind for a corner. Ashraf also headed over from Ahmed Khodari’s cross from the left.

Adam Kaied tested Mokhtar with another close-range effort, but the goalkeeper again produced an excellent save. Mohamed Shehata then tried from distance, only to send his shot wide.

Zamalek’s pressure eventually produced their second goal. Abdel Rahim’s corner from the right was met by Banza, whose header found the left side of the net.

Omar Gaber also delivered a right-sided corner which travelled across the area without finding a teammate, while another Zamalek corner was cleared by the AS Port defence. At one stage, the corner count stood at one for Zamalek and none for AS Port.

Play was briefly stopped so AS Port player Nazimi could receive treatment, before the match resumed. Both teams made their first substitutions of the second half, and the game became quieter as Zamalek managed possession through a series of midfield passes.

AS Port won a late corner from the right, but Zamalek cleared it quickly. The referee added two minutes of stoppage time before bringing the match to an end.