CAFCC: Zamalek and Stellenbosch play to yawn-inducing quarterfinal first leg draw
- Andrew Olsson
- Apr 2
- 1 min read
Updated: Apr 4
Little attacking ambition, embarrassing displays of flopping and zero goals. These themes characterized Wednesday's start to the quarterfinals of the CAF Confederation Cup as hosts Stellenbosch FC were held to a 0-0 draw by Egyptian giants Zamalek in the first leg played in Cape Town.
Stellenbosch, in a match labeled by head coach Steve Barker as one of the biggest in the club's brief history, failed to impress on the big stage at the Cape Town Stadium. Facing a defensive posture from Zamalek, the Stellies attack plodded along and had little to no success solving the riddle the Cairo club posed.
The only time either club came close to putting a shot towards goal in the first half arrived in the 37th minute when a Zamalek counter attack provided room for winger Mostafa Shalaby to cut inside from the left flank. However, his effort was struck poorly and went far off target.
Action finally picked up a bit in the final ten minutes. Stellenbosch goalkeeper Sage Stephens made a heroic save in the 85th minute when Shalaby's cross found substitute Nasser Mansy. Mansy's powerful header was brilliantly parried onto the post by Stephens before his defense cleared the ball.
The biggest event of note took place in the stands where Zamalek supporters were involved in clashes.
The teams will meet again in a week's time for the second leg at the Cairo International Stadium where defending champions Zamalek will be the favorites to advance.
