Egyptian outfit Zamalek played a 1-1 draw with their Ghanaian visitors Berekum Chelsea at the Cairo Military Academy Stadium on Saturday night in a Group B match Day 5 fixture of the 2012 Orange CAF Champions League. The draw gave Zamalek their first point in the group while Berekum Chelsea raised their tally to 6 points.
By holding the Ghanaians to a draw Zamalek have done their Cairo rivals Ahly a huge favour. The result guaranteed Ahly a semi final spot as they lead the group with 10 points before their weekend game against Mazembe.
Zamalek scored first via Mohamed Ibrahim after 13 minutes while Amado Nafiu equalized for Berekum Chelsea. The game marked the return of Egyptian fans in the stands for the first time in seven months. Football matches in Egypt since last February when 74 fans fell dead after riots in Port Said have been played behind closed doors.
Zamalek attacked from early play and scored after 13 minutes when Mohamed Ibrahim exchanged passes with Burkinabe Abdoulaye Cisse before Ibrahim curved a shot past Ghanaian goalkeeper Ernest Sowah to give Zamalek the lead. The visitors went into attack searching for the equalizer, and the tournament top scorer Emanuel Clottey had a good effort saved by Zamalek's keeper and team captain Abdel Wahed El Sayed.
In the 26th minute a free kick caused commotion in Zamalek defense, and defender Amado Nafiu capitalized from the melee and scored Berekum Chelsea's equalizer. Zamalek had Ibrahim going close as did Cisse who should have scored right before the halftime but his shot went wide with the keeper already beaten.
The second half started in the same way, but without major chances for both teams. Sowah was there to save a deflected header and punch away the ball for a corner kick. On the other end Bismark Idan could have put the visitors into the lead but his effort missed target.
Neither side could break down the other in the final minutes and the game ended in 1-1 draw as Zamalek bagged their first point and ironically gifting their rivals Al Ahly their semi final ticket before they face TP Mazembe on Sunday in Lubumbashi.
Egyptian outfit Zamalek played a 1-1 draw with their Ghanaian visitors Berekum Chelsea at the Cairo Military Academy Stadium on Saturday night in a Group B match Day 5 fixture of the 2012 Orange CAF Champions League. The draw gave Zamalek their first point in the group while Berekum Chelsea raised their tally to 6 points.
By holding the Ghanaians to a draw Zamalek have done their Cairo rivals Ahly a huge favour. The result guaranteed Ahly a semi final spot as they lead the group with 10 points before their weekend game against Mazembe.
Zamalek scored first via Mohamed Ibrahim after 13 minutes while Amado Nafiu equalized for Berekum Chelsea. The game marked the return of Egyptian fans in the stands for the first time in seven months. Football matches in Egypt since last February when 74 fans fell dead after riots in Port Said have been played behind closed doors.
Zamalek attacked from early play and scored after 13 minutes when Mohamed Ibrahim exchanged passes with Burkinabe Abdoulaye Cisse before Ibrahim curved a shot past Ghanaian goalkeeper Ernest Sowah to give Zamalek the lead. The visitors went into attack searching for the equalizer, and the tournament top scorer Emanuel Clottey had a good effort saved by Zamalek's keeper and team captain Abdel Wahed El Sayed.
In the 26th minute a free kick caused commotion in Zamalek defense, and defender Amado Nafiu capitalized from the melee and scored Berekum Chelsea's equalizer. Zamalek had Ibrahim going close as did Cisse who should have scored right before the halftime but his shot went wide with the keeper already beaten.
The second half started in the same way, but without major chances for both teams. Sowah was there to save a deflected header and punch away the ball for a corner kick. On the other end Bismark Idan could have put the visitors into the lead but his effort missed target.
Neither side could break down the other in the final minutes and the game ended in 1-1 draw as Zamalek bagged their first point and ironically gifting their rivals Al Ahly their semi final ticket before they face TP Mazembe on Sunday in Lubumbashi.
Post match reaction - Zamalek v Berekum Chelsea
Jorvan Vieira - Zamalek manager
I'm satisfied with my players' performance. Looking back at our previous game against Mazembe, we had a much better game tonight. Both teams had equal winning chances. Chelsea concentrated on attack while Zamalek had more possession and we managed to stop their attacks. I'm not a magician to solve all the problems we face in a couple of weeks especially with the current circumstances. The supporters' presence motivated us and I wished l was able to play myself to give them something to cheer for.
Johannes Van der Pluijm - Berekum Chelsea manager
The draw is a result of my players' lack of experience. We need to learn more and don't forget this is our first ever participation in the Champions League, and we still played a good match. We are going to wait for Mazembe v Ahly outcome to know our chances, and then we will decide what's next.
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