CAF Confed. Cup: Zamalek set tone to retain crown with dominant win over Black Bulls

Reigning CAF Confederation Cup champions, Zamalek, have defeated Mozambique’s Black Bulls 3-1 on Sunday, confirming their place in the quarterfinals of the secondary continental tournament.

Leading Group D with an impressive 11 points, Zamalek maintains a comfortable five-point lead over Masry, currently occupying the second position.

Black Bulls remain fourth with four points, while Nigeria’s Enyimba are third with five points after five rounds of intense competition.

The match saw striker Hossam Ashraf set the stage alight in the 51st minute for Zamalek, breaking the deadlock with a clinical right-footed strike from the center of the box, perfectly assisted by Ahmed “Zizo” El Sayed.

Only two minutes later, Ashraf struck again, doubling the lead with another precise right-footed shot into the bottom right corner from the center of the box.

Black Bulls pulled one back when winger Ejaita Ifoni found the back of the net in the 62nd minute, delivering a well-placed header from the center of the box.

Zizo further extended Zamalek’s lead, scoring the third goal eight minutes before the final whistle after racing past the last defender, skipping the keeper to slot home in an empty net.

In the closing stages of the game, Zamalek maintained control, missing a clear scoring opportunity as substitute Naser Mansy failed to convert.

The already-qualified Zamalek is set to face Enyimba in the final round of the Confederation Cup group stage on Sunday 19 January.