LUANDA, Angola (News Wires) – Egyptian giants Zamalek and Angola’s Sagrada Esperanca played to an entertaining goalless draw in Luanda, as the two sides shared spoils during their Group D match at the CAF Champions League group phase.
The draw leaves Zamalek second in the standings with two points while Sagrada is bottom with one.
Both goalkeepers, Leonardo Mutunda for Sagrada and Mohamed Abou Gabal for Zamalek, did a splendid job to keep the scores even and scoreless, with each side showing good attacking flow.
It was the second consecutive draw for Zamalek who came from two goals down to draw 2-2 with another Angolan outfit, Petro de Luanda, in their opening match in Cairo last week.
Sagrada lost their opening group stage match 3-0 to Wydad Athletic Club, and the point is a plus to their campaign of making the quarter finals.
Zamalek had the better chances in the opening half but couldn’t find the back of the net.
Achraf Bencharki saw a left footed shot from close range saved by the keeper while Mahmoud Abdel Razeq ‘Shikabala’ also had a rasping shot from outside the area turned behind by Mutunda.
There were more chances to come for each side in the second half.
In the 67th minute, Mutunda made a good point blank save to keep out Ahmed Fatouh’s shot after some quick movement of play released the defender out on the left.
In the final quarter hour of the game, it was Sagrada who were forcing Abou Gabal to work. In the 77th minute, the burly shot stopper had to go full stretch to turn away Karanga’s freekick behind for a corner.
A minute later, Gabal was once again at full flight, this time pushing away Joseph Olatubosum’s left footed belter behind for another set piece.
Gabal thwarted the home side once again in the 83rd minute from point blank after Lionel Yombi was sent through on goal with a dicey pass from Bonginkosi Dlamini.
In the second minute of added time, Zamalek came close to snatching victory at the death but substitute Omar el-Said was denied by the woodwork after taking a first time shot from a cross on the left.
Sundowns held by Al-Merrikh
Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa was held to a 0-0 draw by Al-Merrikh of Sudan in the Champions League Group A match played at the Al-Salam Stadium in Cairo.
The result sees the Brazilians enjoying a three-point lead at the top of the standings over the other three teams, though Al-Ahly and Merrikh each has a game in hand, while the South Africans will also reflect on a lack of killer instinct.
Group A teams will return to action next week, with Merrikh hosting Sudanese arch rivals Al-Hilal on February 25, while Sundowns is away at Al-Ahly – and former coach Pitso Mosimane – on February 26.
Sundowns who started their campaign with a 1-0 win against another Sudanese side Al-Hilal last weekend were the most enterprising but couldn’t crack for an opening goal.
The Brazilians created scoring chances, pinned Merreikh in their own half, but Monged Abuzaid in the Sudanese’s goal couldn’t let anything pass.
Merrikh struggled to create chances, but will take in a draw in their first match of the group phase, a result that sees them sit third in the group.
Esperance earns away point
Zied Machmoum’s header eight minutes to time handed Esperance a draw away from home in Group C match after playing to a 1-1 draw with CR Belouizdad in Algiers.
Karim Aribi’s first-half penalty had given the Algerians a first-half 1-0 lead, but Esperance fought back to storm top of the group with four points after two matches, CAF official website reported.
Aribi gave CRB the lead after quarter of an hour, converting from the penalty spot after Larbi Tabti had been clipped inside the box by Ghaylen Chaaleli.
It was a fantastic start for the home side as they were more adventurous in the opening minutes. However, they could not extend their lead despite having some chances to score.
In the second half it was Esperance who came back hungrier. Mohamed Ben Romdhane, the hat-trick hero from last week’s victory over Jwaneng Galaxy had a chance at goal with a shot from distance which flew over.
The Tunisians kept the pressure as they sought the equalizer. They were rewarded in the 82nd minute when Machmoum towered beyond his marker to send in a thumping header from Sabir Bougrine’s cross.
The goal would change the color of the game for the remaining eight minutes as the home side went back on the attack, as they sought to get the maximum points.
They almost scored in the first minute of added time when Zakaria Draoui rose inside the box to connect to a freekick, but his well angled header went inches over the target.
Belouizdad sit third in the table with two points after back to back draws.
