Caf confed. Cup semis: Dreams FC escape zamalek’s patch with goalless draw

Zamalek, the sole Egyptian representative in the Confederation Cup, were held to a goalless draw by Ghana’s Dreams FC in the first leg of the competition’s semi-final at Cairo Stadium on Sunday.

The result presents a tough challenge for Zamalek in the second leg as they will face the Ghanaian team away from home on Sunday 28 April.

With the absence of their stars Ahmed ‘Zizo’ Sayed and Ahmed Fatouh, Zamalek produced a poor performance in the first half and failed to pose a threat to the visitors.

Just before halftime, Dreams FC came close to surprising the hosts, but Zamalek’s Tunisian defender Hamza Mathlouthi cleared the dangerous cross.

In the second half, Zamalek’s coach made a substitution, bringing in forward Samson Akinyoola in place of winger Mostafa Shalabi, who had a quiet first half.

Zamalek’s performance improved, with Akinyoola coming close with a close-range effort that hit the side netting, and Ibrahima Ndiaye’s header narrowly missing the target in the opening minutes of the second half.

Striker Seif Jaziri, who had impressed in the Cairo derby with two goals, missed an easy chance in the 70th minute as his close-range header went over the bar.

In the dying minutes, Zamalek intensified their attack, but Jaziri missed another clear opportunity with a header off target.

Senegalese winger, Ibrahima Ndiaye, was unlucky to see his header cleared off the line, while defender Hossam Abdel-Meguid’s shot hit the crossbar.

Zamalek will have no choice but to avoid loss in Ghana to advance into the competition’s final.