{Egyptian giants Zamalek progressed to the last 16 of the Caf Confederations Cup after seeing off Rwanda’s Rayon Sports 3-0 at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali on Sunday evening.}
Ahmed Eid netted in the 33rd minute after cutting into the penalty box from the left flank, beating Huberto Sincere Manzi and Faustin Usengimana to send a superb shot into the top left corner past the hapless Rayon Sports’ goalkeeper Eric Ndayishimiye.
Five minutes later midfielder Aly Hefny got an opportunity when he cut into the penalty box but his attempt went straight into Rayon Sports’ goalkeeper Eric Ndayishimiye’s hands.
In the second half, Ali Gabr rose high above the Blues’ defense to find the back of the net to give Zamalek a 5-1 lead on aggregate which killed Rayon Sports’ confidence and trashed any existing hopes of a comeback whatsoever.
In the 53rd minute, Ibrahim Salah scored a third for the visitors to seal a much deserved victory that saw Jesualdo Ferreira’s side progress to the last 16 of the continental competition.
Substitute Aphrodis Hategekimana who had earlier replaced striker Isaac Muganza brought some energy into the attack and almost scored a consolation goal in the 85th minute but his effort was saved by substitute goalkeeper Mahmoud Abd Elrehim who came on for the injured Ahmed Nasser Mahmoud.
Ferreira was contented with his side’s performance, “We played a high quality game. It was balanced especially at the beginning of the second half, we started very well. We were happy when we scored those two goals.”
His counterpart Jean Baptiste Kayiranga admitted that Zamalek was the better side on the day. He said, “Sometimes you have to admit that a team is better than you and this was the case with Zamalek. They played really well and were the better team.”
Zamalek won this tie 6-1 on aggregate and will now meet Morocco’s FUS Rabat in the round of 16 with the first leg scheduled to be played on the weekend of April 17-19 with the return leg played a fortnight later on the weekend of May 1-3.
Source: SuperSport.com
Photos: IGIHE
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