Zamalek 1 - 1 Esperance

CAIRO (GoPharaohs.com) - Zamalek we’re unable to end the string of draws in the African Champion’s League Group B as they only managed a 1-1 scoreline against visitors Esperance. The Egyptian side kept their place on top of the group, which also witnessed the same score between ASEC Abidjan and E.S.S.

The home side started the game with pressure taking advantage of their fans support, while Esperance had a more calm approach to the encounter which proved vital later on. The Tunisians managed to control midfield as time passed by with no real danger on both nets. At the 36th minute, Mohamed Abdel Wahed sent in a curling corner from the right side that went straight into the opponents net in style. After the goal, manager Theo Bucker made his first substitution of the game bringing in Mohamed Abul Ela instead of out-of-form Hazem Emam. After the goal the visitors pilled on the pressure on Abdel Wahed El Sayed and managed to find the equalizer through Moin El Shaabani’s header 2 minutes from half-time.

The second half was a replay of the first, with Zamalek pilling on the early pressure looking for a goal and Esperance absorbing the pressure. Some dangerous chances took place when Tarek El Sayed hit the post from 20-yards and Ali El Zitouni forcing Abdel Wahed to a heroic save in response. The visitors test El Sayed again minutes later through Hag Lotfi but the Egyptian sides keeper remains steady. Zamalek then made their second substitution pulling out debutant striker Edison Silva, who failed to make an impression, and inserting other debutant midfielder Junior. The home side launched attacks in the remaining minutes of the game hoping to end the encounter and gain the three points, but chances from Abul Ela’s freekick and Gamal Hamza’s one-on-one were not good enough to bean Jean Jacques Tizie.

The draw keeps Zamalek on top of the group with goal difference in advantage, after the 1-1 scoreline between the other two teams of the group, ASEC Abidjan and E.S.S. The group remains open for all four teams with the second round matches being vital in deciding the two semi-finalists.