Zamalek chase long awaited breakthrough against South African clubs

Zamalek head to South Africa for a fresh test against Kaizer Chiefs in the CAF Confederation Cup group stage, determined to chip away at the slight historical edge held by South African teams over the “White Knight.”

The Cairo giants visit Peter Mokaba Stadium having started their campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Zambia’s Zesco United, while Kaizer Chiefs lost their opener 2-1 to Al Masry, adding extra pressure on the hosts.

Across their history, Zamalek have played 12 official matches against four different South African clubs, winning five, losing six and drawing once, a record that gives the “Bafana Bafana” sides a narrow upper hand. The Kaizer Chiefs showdown also renews a rivalry that dates back to 1993, when the two teams met in the African Champions League round of 16; Zamalek lost 2-1 away but won 1-0 at home to progress on away goals.

Their best memories in this fixture list come against Orlando Pirates, with Zamalek winning three and losing just one of four meetings spread across the 2013 Champions League and 2015 Confederation Cup. The toughest scars, however, were left by Mamelodi Sundowns, who beat Zamalek three times in four matches in the 2016 Champions League, including a 3-0 first-leg victory that paved the way for a 3-1 aggregate triumph in the final.

More recently, Stellenbosch knocked Zamalek out of the Confederation Cup quarterfinals, drawing 0-0 in Egypt before winning 1-0 at home in the return leg.

That disappointment, along with Kaizer Chiefs’ opening defeat to Al Masry, gives the coming game added narrative weight, as Zamalek aim to build on their win over Zesco and finally tilt the South African balance in their favour.