Zamalek through to CAF Confederation Cup semi-final
A second-half goal from winger Ibrahim Hassan lifted Zamalek to the CAF Confederation Cup semi-final with a nervy 1-0 victory over Morocco’s Hassania Agadir in Suez on Sunday.
Hassan’s smartly-taken volley from a tight angle four minutes into the second half separated both sides after the first leg ended in a 0-0 draw.
The second period was action-packed and controversial, with the referee disallowing what looked like legitimate goals for both sides.
Zamalek will face the winner of the remaining quarter-final clash between Tunisia’s Etoile Sahel and Sudan’s Hilal.
The hosts received an early blow when midfield linchpin Ferjani Sassi, the team’s primary source of creativity, was stretchered off after appearing to sprain his ankle.
He had just returned from suspension, with Zamalek struggling without him in the past two games.
Agadir were harshly denied an equaliser four minutes from time when a close-range effort following a goal-mouth scramble appeared to have crossed the goal-line before keeper Mahmoud Gennesh blocked it with his legs.
At the other end, Hassan scored again after finishing off a breakaway but his goal was chalked off for handball, although television replays showed that the ball had struck his chest.
Zamalek breathed a sigh of relief at the final whistle to continue their bid towards a first Confederation Cup triumph.
📽 HIGHLIGHTS .. Zamalek 1-0 Hassania US Agadir
Quarter finals – 2nd Leg #TotalCAFCC pic.twitter.com/FN1holKPkn— #TotalCAFCL (@CAF_Online) April 14, 2019
