Zamalek in control after Shehata and Banaza put AS Port under pressure

Zamalek SC hold a 2-0 advantage over AS Port at half-time in the first leg of their CAF Champions League preliminary-round tie.

The Egyptian side made the stronger start and quickly established control of the match, using their technical superiority to dominate proceedings on the pitch.

Mohamed Shehata opened the scoring for Zamalek, giving the Cairo club the reward their early pressure had threatened to produce. The midfielder’s goal put the White Knights in front and placed AS Port under immediate pressure.

Zamalek maintained their momentum after taking the lead. Just a few minutes later, forward Chikou Banaza added a second goal to give his side a commanding position before the interval.

The two goals reflect Zamalek’s authority during the opening half, with AS Port struggling to match the Egyptian club’s technical quality and control of the game. The Djibouti side now face the difficult task of finding a response after falling two goals behind before half-time.

AS Port will need to show a markedly different performance after the break if they are to reduce the deficit and give themselves a stronger chance of competing in the tie.

Zamalek, meanwhile, will be looking to build on their advantage and add further goals in the second half. The Cairo-based team have already put themselves in an ideal position in this opening leg and will aim to finish the match with an even more decisive result.

With the score standing at 2-0, the second half will be shaped by contrasting priorities. AS Port must find a way back into the contest, while Zamalek will seek to protect their lead and press home their superiority.

The result at the interval leaves the Egyptian club firmly in command of the first leg. For AS Port, the immediate challenge is to limit the damage and reduce the gap; for Zamalek, the focus will be on completing the job after Mohamed Shehata and Chikou Banaza gave them a comfortable advantage.