Zamalek lifts 2024 CAF Super Cup in Riyadh

…Beat Al Ahly 4-3 on penalties

Zamalek emerged winner of the CAF Super Cup played in Riyadh on Friday night after beating Al Ahly 4-3 on penalties at the Kingdom Arena stadium in Saudi Arabia.

The Egyptian giants played out a 1-1 draw in regulation time after Zamalek came from behind to emerge winners via penalties.

Wessam Abou Ali had given Ahly a 44th-minute lead from a disputed penalty in regular time, but substitute Nasser Mansy levelled on 77 minutes with his first touch of the ball.

Zamalek then converted their four penalties in the shootout while Ahly failed twice as Mohamed Awad saved from Yahya Attia Allah and Abou Ali struck the post.

It was the fifth Super Cup victory in six attempts for Zamalek in the annual showdown between the winners of the CAF Champions League and the second-tier CAF Confederation Cup.

Ahly remain the most successful club in the Super Cup with eight wins, but have now lost four times as well.

A tense finish after Zamalek equalised was some compensation for the capacity 30,000 crowd at the Kingdom Arena stadium in the Saudi Arabian capital after a stop-start affair.

Zamalek were furious after Ahly were awarded a 34th-minute penalty when Hamza Mathlouthi stamped on the left leg of Akram Tawfik, who had spoilt a good run with a weak shot at Awad.

The Libyan referee checked the incident on the VAR monitor and when he indicated a penalty, furious Zamalek players surrounded him.

At one stage Zamalek players moved to the sideline, hinting they might walk off in protest, and it took 10 minutes before play resumed and Palestine international Abou Ali scored from the spot.

When the referee blew for half-time, security officials rushed on to the pitch and escorted him to the changerooms amid more Zamalek protests.

With Zamalek making little impact in attack, Portuguese coach Jose Gomes introduced Mansy, and he connected with an Omar Gaber cross to push the ball wide of goalkeeper Mohamed el Shenawy.

Zamalek, known as the “White Knights,” have faced a tougher path recently. Despite a third-place finish in the Egyptian Premier League last season, trailing second place by a significant 17 points, they managed to capture the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup, demonstrating their resilience and determination.

The summer saw them rejuvenate their squad with seven new signings, including promising young Palestinian striker Omar Faraj from AIK in Sweden. Coach Gomes was confident that his team’s current form and spirit will carry them through.

“Even the players on the bench will play a decisive role. Winning this title will boost the players’ confidence and set the stage for future success,” Gomes acknowledged.