Unlike Ahly, Zamalek have at least won a game, once, as they prepare to take on AmaKhosi, who are coming off a 2-1 loss to another Egyptian side, Al Masry, this past weekend in a game where they should have earned a point.
Ahly have won none of their 14 visits to South Africa (D8 L6), which includes a defeat to minnows Platinum Stars in 2008. Zamalek have visited on six previous occasions and have a single win, along with four defeats and a draw.
Here is a look back at those six games.
KAIZER CHIEFS 2-1 ZAMALEK
Chiefs won this 1993 CAF Champions League second-round battle at home but lost the war as Zamalek advanced after a 1-0 win in the second leg gave them victory on the away goals rule. Chiefs won 2-1 at home thanks to goals from Trevor Mtimkulu and Shane McGregor, but they switched off at a late free-kick and handed the visitors a goal that proved crucial in the final reckoning.
A famous victory for Pirates as they went on to reach the Champions League final in 2013, only to be undone by Ahly. This was a group-stage clash and followed an excellent 3-0 away success at Ahly. Lennox Bacela, Tlou Segolela, Sifiso Myeni and Daine Klate all scored for coach Roger de Sá’s side.
The Egyptians’ only victory in South Africa came in this 2015 CAF Confederation Cup group-stage game, though Pirates would go on to reach the final that year, only to lose to Tunisia’s Etoile du Sahel. Pirates took the lead on 67 minutes through Lehlohonolo Majoro, but that spurred Zamalek into life and they netted twice via Maarouf Yousef and Mostafa Fathi.
The first of two visits for Zamalek to South Africa in the 2016 Champions League, and they lost both to Sundowns. This group-stage clash was decided by an Ali Gabr own goal 12 minutes from the end.
Sundowns lifted the Champions League trophy in 2016, and that success was set up by a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Zamalek in the first leg of the final in Pretoria. Anthony Laffor scored the opener and Teboho Langerman got the second before halftime. Islam Gamal became the second Zamalek player that season to score an own goal against Sundowns early in the second period. Zamalek won their home leg 1-0, but Sundowns were the aggregate winners.
Zamalek’s most recent visit was in last season’s Confederation Cup quarterfinals as they were held to a 0-0 draw in a cagey clash with Stellenbosch. Sage Stephens did make one superb save to preserve the draw for the hosts, but there was not much doing at either end. The South African club went to Cairo and won 1-0 to advance, though they lost out to Tanzanians Simba SC in the semifinals.
