ZED FC beat Zamalek 3-0 as Ahmed Atef scores twice in Egypt Capital Cup

ZED FC claimed a 3-0 victory over Zamalek in the Egypt Capital Cup group stage, with Ahmed Atef scoring twice after Marwan Hegig had opened the scoring before half-time.

Both sides made a cautious start, with Zamalek seeing more of the ball during the opening stages. The first 15 minutes passed without a goal, while ZED FC’s Abdelrahman El-Banouby sent a long-range effort wide.

Zamalek threatened when Ahmed Safwat broke into the area from the right, but his cross was gathered by ZED FC goalkeeper Mohamed Mazika. Safwat later delivered a corner that caused no danger.

ZED FC gradually became more influential. El-Banouby had another effort blocked by Zamalek’s Ziad Medhat, before he missed a significant opportunity from an unmarked position in front of goal, sending his shot over.

The visitors’ pressure eventually produced the opening goal. Samah Ibrahim’s cross from the right side of the penalty area found Hegig, who struck a superb first-time effort into the roof of the net.

Zamalek were awarded a free-kick after Hossam Ashour El-Taqi was fouled, while ZED FC’s Mohamed Rabieya was booked for a strong challenge on Seif Farouk Gaafar. Ahmed Atef was also caught offside after moving behind the Zamalek defence.

ZED FC doubled their advantage after the interval. A corner from Hegig was cleared incorrectly, allowing Moussa Mohamed to cross from the left. Atef met the ball at the near post and fired into the right side of the goal.

Atef completed his double soon afterwards. Mustafa Saad’s pass sent him through behind the defence, and he finished from inside the area into the right corner.

There were several stoppages in the second half, including treatment for ZED FC’s Mustafa Saad and Samah Ibrahim, while both teams took breaks to drink and recover. Zamalek made five substitutions, including a forced change after Mohamed Farag was unable to continue. ZED FC also used five substitutes.

Zamalek’s Adham Haseeb tried his luck from outside the area but missed the target. Their best late chance came from a corner delivered by Mahmoud Jihad, which Mohamed Abdel-Wanis headed wide of the right post.

At the other end, Raafat Khalil’s header was kept out by Zamalek goalkeeper Mahmoud El-Shenawy. ZED FC also went close when a corner from Tarek Alaa struck the right post before Moussa Mohamed’s follow-up went wide.

Zamalek’s technical staff received successive yellow cards for protesting against the referee’s decisions. Three minutes were added at the end of each half.

ZED FC finished with eight shots to Zamalek’s two and won four corners compared with their opponents’ two.