Zamalek qualify to CAF Champions League group stages after beating Generation Foot 1-0 in replay
Egyptian outfits Zamalek have maintained their stands in the 2019-2020 CAF Champions League with a slim win over Generation Foot. The win has saw Zamalek through to the group stages of the Champions League.
The initial fixture of the second leg tie between the two sides was cancelled off a barely a month ago after Generation Foot failed to show up on the field due to an explained reason of sudden change of venue by CAF. An initial assumption holds that Zamalek had qualified to the next stage of the competition according CAF rules and regulations.
But the rules can sometimes not be as straight forward as they are known, therefore given the African football governing body a room of flexibility to reschedule this fixture on 24th October 2019 at Al Salam Stadium.
Generation Foot from Senegal prior to today’s encounter hold a 2-1 advantage from the first leg in Thies, and anything apart from a defeat would send them through to the group stage of the Champions League.
But they knew they would have a huge mountain to climb before they can achieve that goal especially knowing very well that Micho and his men need Champions League football to be where they belong in African football, so win was a must for Zamalek.
With this in mind, Micho called a very strong eleven to face the Senegalese. Milutin Sredojevic, Mostafa Mohamed, Youssef Obama and returning Abdallah Gomaa were all part of the fierce attack produced by Zamalek on the night.
There was a little bit of a surprise within the first 15 minutes of the game as Zamalek attack were struggling to live up to expectations.
Meanwhile, the away side for most of times were more dangerous whenever they launch attack, but thanks to Zamalek keeper Mohammed Awad who made a 14th minute save to keep Zamalek alive in the game.
But one thing was positive for the Egyptians, they never stopped pushing for the opener. They began to find spaces and more comfortable within the goal area of Generation Foot. On the 19th minute, Zamalek finally took the lead through Mostafa Mohamed after connecting home a low cross from the fight flank.
Zamalek have now advanced to the group stage of the CAF Champions League, and would be in group A together with TP Mazembe, ZESCO and Primeiro de Agosto.
