Zamalek took a step towards qualifying for the African Champions League final, after winning 1-0 away to Raja Casablanca, champion of Morocco, in the semi-final first leg of the continental competition.
The winning goal was scored by "The White Castle" by Moroccan striker Ashraf Bin Sharqi, and an Egyptian summit loomed on the horizon of the final.
Al-Ahly, Egypt's champion in Casablanca, defeated Wydad Casablanca, in the first match in the Golden Square on Saturday.
Zamalek raided its host after Ahmed Sayed "Zizou" broke through the left side and passed a perfect cross to Moroccan Bensharqi, the former Wydad player, to rise above everyone else and settle the ball with his head in
the 18th minute.
The return matches will be held in Egypt next week, which will also host the final if an Egyptian team qualifies.
Fatigue was evident on Raja, who missed Sanad Al-Werfalli and Abdel-Rahim Shaker for infection, and Ayoub Naah and Mohamed Zarideh due to their infection with the Corona virus, after a long season in the Moroccan Professional League that ended with his being
crowned the title in the last round a few days ago.
Zamalek appeared coherent in defense despite the absence of two of its most prominent players, the heart of the Egyptian national team and goal-scorer Mahmoud Alaa for injury, and prominent Tunisian midfielder Ferjani Sassi, due to his infection with Corona.
Ashraf Bin Sharqi is in the goalkeeper of Moroccan hope pic.twitter.com/rzwlSkyMFu
- ZamalekGoals (@ZamalekGoals) October 18, 2020