RIYADH — Zamalek clinched the 2024 CAF Super Cup in a dramatic penalty shootout victory over arch-rivals Al-Ahly, following a 1-1 draw at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The “White Knights” held their nerve in a tense shootout, ultimately winning 4-3 to lift their fifth Super Cup title.
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.
Al-Ahly remained the most successful club in the Super Cup with eight wins, but has 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 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 halftime, 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.
The game between the two Egyptian giants began with Al-Ahly looking the more dominant side, and they took the lead in the 44th minute through Abou Ali.
Despite going behind, Zamalek responded with resilience. The second half saw them steadily grow into the game, and their persistence paid off in the 77th minute.
Substitute Naser Mansy, who had been on the field for just one minute, capitalized on a well-delivered cross from Omar Gaber, leveling the score with a composed finish from close range.
The remaining minutes of regular time were a flurry of action and near-misses, with both teams pushing for a winner.
Al Ahly came close in the dying moments, but Rami Rabia’s header sailed over the bar, ensuring the match would be decided by penalties.
In the shootout, Al-Ahly’s Yahia Attiyat Allah missed a crucial penalty, and Wessam Abou Ali’s shot hit the post, handing the advantage to Zamalek.
The “White Knights” converted four of their five attempts, with Hossam Abdelmaguid sealing the victory by calmly slotting his shot into the bottom left corner.
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