Zamalek emerged as the champions of the CAF Confederation Cup after a thrilling 1-0 victory over RS Berkane in the second leg of the final on Sunday.
The win at the Cairo International Stadium allowed the Egyptian giants to overturn a 2-1 deficit from the first leg in Morocco, securing the trophy on aggregate.
The atmosphere in Cairo was electric as Zamalek, clad in their iconic white and red, sought to reclaim continental glory. The home side’s hopes were revived early in the match when striker Ahmed Hamdi scored the decisive goal in the 23rd minute, leveling the aggregate score.
The stadium erupted in celebration, but the joy was short-lived as Hamdi was forced to leave the field just before halftime due to an injury.
The second half was a tense affair, with Zamalek’s defense put to the test by a relentless Berkane attack. Senegalese midfielder Ibrahima Ndiaye was particularly impressive, marshalling the midfield and helping to repel Berkane’s advances.
The Moroccan side, desperate for an away goal, found themselves increasingly frustrated as the minutes ticked away.
Berkane’s hopes were further dashed when defender Hamza El Moussaoui received a straight red card late in the match, reducing his team to 10 men. This setback forced Berkane to commit more players forward, but Zamalek’s defense held firm.
The White Knights displayed tremendous resilience and tactical discipline, withstanding the onslaught to maintain their aggregate advantage.
The final whistle sparked scenes of unbridled joy among the Zamalek faithful, as the club celebrated its second Confederation Cup title, having previously won in the 2018/19 season. The victory marked a significant achievement for the Cairo-based club, highlighting their resurgence on the African stage.
For Berkane, the narrow defeat was a bitter pill to swallow, as their quest for a third Confederation Cup title in four years ended in disappointment. Despite their valiant efforts, they fell just short, leaving Zamalek to bask in the glory of their hard-fought triumph.
Photo: CAF Online
