Zamalek have reached the final of this year’s African Champions League and will confront Egyptian rivals Al Ahly in what promises to be an epic matchup.
The White Knights are not strangers to the top end of the competitions as they have a good record at the highest peak of football although Al Ahly are more successful, having won the African Champions League eight times.
Zamalek came from behind to edge Raja Casablanca of Morocco 3-1 in the second leg of the semi-final played on Wednesday at Cairo International Stadium to advance 4-1 on aggregate.
The first leg in Morocco two weeks ago ended 1-0 in favor of the Egyptians. Although they lost, the Jamal Sellami boys were impressive in the first-leg but lacked the same drive and intensity in the return leg.
The eerie silence of the atmosphere during the two closed door meetings seemed to have favored Zamalek players, who overcame their Moroccan challenge with a steely professionalism and a clinical composure.
Raja controlled much of the proceedings in the first stanza with Soufiane Rahimi and Ben Malango missing a couple of chances.
Zamalek welcomed Feraji Ssasi who almost made his presence felt in the earlier minutes following an exchange of passes near the area with Mustapha Mohamed, but Raja goalkeeper Mohamed Bouamira parried.
Raja regrouped and threatened the opener towards 15 minutes when Soufiane Rahimi robbed Eslam Gaber off possession before cracking the crossbar from a thumping shot.
The Green Eagles dominance continued before the final stage of the first half, as Sanad Al Warfali drew a smart reaction save from Zamalek goalkeeper Mohamed Abou-Gabal from a tight angle.
Zamalek’s Abdallah Gomaa was given a glorious chance to break the deadlock three minutes before halftime after peeling onto a through ball from Achraf Bencharki, but couldn’t beat Bouamira.
Raja started the second half just as the first with a darting run towards the area from the right-side which was utilized by Congolese forward Ben Malango who found the net with a shot that was deflected off Abdallah Gomaa to wrong-foot keeper Abou-Gabal.
The White Knights lived nervously towards the 60th minute as Fabrice Ngah found Mohsine Moutaouali with a clear sight to goal, but a timeous clearance from Mahmoud Alaa saved the day.
Zamalek hit back a minute later when Ferjani Sassi came up with a classy finish from good footwork. He exchanged passes with Bencharki on the edge of the area before sending a brilliant shot with the outside of his right foot.
It wasn’t over for Raja after Ahmed Zizo opened space from the right minutes later to unleash a low cross-cum-shot, but the attempt drifted past the far corner of Bouamira’s goal.
In the 85th minute in-form Mostafa Mohamed was left unmarked and rose to head home their second goal.
A minute later, Zakaria El Wardi should have scored an equalizer for Raja a minute when the midfilder latched onto a goalmouth scramble inside Zamalek box, but fired inches wide from 16-yards out.
Mohamed netted again four minutes later after Sassi made a brilliant turn in the opposite half with Video Assistant Referee (VAR) concurring.
Bencharki put the result beyond doubt as he placed he cherry on top with another strike deep in injury time to make it 4-1.
The tie between Zamalek and Al Ahly will be played on November 27 at the 87,000-capacity Borg el Arab Stadium on the outskirts of Egyptian Mediterranean city Alexandria.
