Zamalek and Al-Merrikh on February 17, 2023,in group D of match day 2 of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League, ended on a goalless style.
It was a first point for the two teams who lost on the first day of the competition at the “Martyrs of Benina” stadium in Benghazi.
The start of the match was marked by pressure from the players of al Merrikh, hoping to open the score early, but the defense of Zamalek, and goalkeeper Mohamed Aouad remained steady.
Hosts Al-Merrikh dominated the first half and were close to opening the score only 13 minutes from the start after delivering a corner kick. However, Zamalek defender Hossam Abdel-Meguid made a superb save.
Zamalek’s Tunisian striker Seif Jaziri came close to scoring a goal in the 32nd minute from a kick at close range – after a brilliant pass from Seif Gaafar – but it finished over the bar.
The Egyptian team’s players did their best to find the foes’ net during the second half but to no avail thanks to the hosts’ cemented defence.
Zamalek’s keeper made a brilliant save 12 minutes before the final whistle when Al Merreikh’s forward Ramadan Agab notched a superb strike from inside the area.
Zamalek opened their campaign in the group stage with a 1-0 loss to Algeria’s Belouizdad at home in the first game.
Al-Merrikh lost 1-0 to Esperance of Tunisia in the first round of Group D games last week.
The White Knights, who are struggling on and off the pitch this season, have claimed only two wins in 11 games in all competitions since the start of 2023.
They lie fourth in the Egyptian Premier League with 32 points, five points behind leaders and arch-rivals Ahly, who have three games in hands due to their participation in the FIFA Club World Cup.
Zamalek will face a tough mission when they visit Esperance of Tunisia in the third round of Group D games on Saturday 25 February.
By Brian Mboh