Forgotten striker Abdoulaye Cisse scored his first goal in more than nine months to help Zamalek make a winning start to their African Confederation Cup group stage campaign following a late 1-0 home win over Tunisia’s Sfaxien on Saturday.
With the final whistle quickly approaching, the Burkinabe, who replaced full-back Hamada Tolba as Zamalek embraced an all-out attack in the latter stages, bundled home following a low cross from versatile midfielder Omar Gaber to find an empty net and spark wild celebrations among the players and technical staff members.
It was Zamalek’s first opening group-stage win in any African competition in 13 years as they moved level on three points with South Africa’s Orlando Pirates, who beat Congo’s AC Leopards 1-0 earlier in the day in the other Group B clash.
Cisse has only played six matches this season and his last goal was in September last year when Zamalek hammered Talae El-Geish 6-1 in their opening Egyptian Premier League game.
Widespread reports suggested that he would be offloaded in the summer but he could give the Zamalek board food for thought should he grasp his chance with both hands in his second spell at the White Knights.
