Zamalek defeats MC Alger 2-0 in Algeria | Highlights

Zamalek recorded their first-ever win in Algeria after beating MC Alger 2-0 in their penultimate group-stage game on Saturday to keep alive their hopes of making it to the last eight of the African Champions League.

Two first-half goals from forward Youssef Ibrahim “Obama” and veteran winger Mahmoud Shikabala gave a clinical Zamalek side a precious victory that kept them in the hunt for Group D’s second quarter-final ticket.

The display was reminiscent of how Zamalek used to fare under Patrice Carteron in his previous spell — closing down spaces at the back and hitting their opponents on the break.

Now that the Frenchman has returned to the club he left at a critical stage of last season, Zamalek are showing familiar signs of defensive solidity and counter-attacking efficiency.

They are third in their group with five points, three behind MC Alger and five adrift of already-qualified Esperance.

Zamalek’s only hope to go through lies in beating Senegal’s Teungueth at home in their final game and hope Esperance defeat MC Alger. In this case, the White Knights will advance virtue of their better head-to-head record over MC Alger.