Zamalek have clinched the 2023/24 CAF Confederation Cup following a 1-0 win over RS Berkane in the second leg of the final on Sunday evening.
A potent stall either end were rolled out, with Zizo, Ibrahima Ndiaye tasked as the go-to-man for the host before Youssef Mehri and Youssef El Fahli picked out Berkane’s fray.
With the first-leg edged by Berkane, the odds were in their favour but the White Knights enjoyed some advantage too in the form of the away-goal rule.
The five-time African champions were keen to take initiative and got ahead in the midway period as Ahmed Hamdi broke the deadlock from Zizo’s assist.
Berkane, who were on the back-foot just after the start, looked to get in rhythm once but the Egyptian giants maintained defensive solidity.
Having made the breakthrough, Hamdi’s evening came to an abrupt end four minutes ahead of halftime when an injury forced him to make way for Youssef Obama.
Berkane continued to carve out a way back past the halftime period, but the equally so had the five-time African kings desperate to save face and hold guard.
The host aimed to take matters up a notch later on and introduced Zeyad Kamal in place of Mohamed Mahmoud with the match poised despite them being in the lead.
Berkane continued to push all the way however continued to find the going tough against a determined White Knights outfit.
In fact, both sides had a lion share of chances Ndiaye on one end and Zizo looking to take aim at the other though neither profited in the end.
Berkane were down to ten players in additional time when Hamza El Moussaoui got his marching orders for a poor challenge amongst other elements.
In the end, the White Knights held onto the lead to secure the victory as well as the Confederation Cup title on the away-goal rule.
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