Zamalek defeat Raja, set historic Champions League final with rivals Al Ahly

Cairo giants Zamalek have set a historic final showdown in the CAF Champions League against arch-rivals Al Ahly for the first time ever after defeating Morocco’s Raja Club Athletic with 4-1 score line on aggregate,BSNSports.com.ng reports. Zamalek had obtained a first leg advantage after defeating Raja 1-0 in Casablanca with Achraf Bencharki’s winner. The second leg game was postponed twice, the first time was due to the discovery of 16 cases among the Raja squad. The encounter was then set to take place on the 1st of November then it was moved once again to November 4. The White Castle started the game using a passive approach, waiting for their opponents to come from their area with Raja being fierce in their offensive efforts knowing that they need to get at least one goal. First chance came for the visitors after 11 minutes after through Sanad Al-Warfali whose tricky header was parried away by Mohamed Abougabal. Raja captain Mohsine Moutouali came close to scoring after his cross was almost deflected into Abougabal’s goal who managed to save the ball prevent the opener in the 25th minute. Two minutes into the second half, Raja managed to break the deadlock thanks to Ben Malango who fired into goal from outside the box with his ball deviating off Abdallah Gomaa and beating Abougabal. After conceding the goal, Zamalek came out of their zone and started attacking the Moroccan giants, missing a couple of chances. The Whites managed to find the equaliser after Ferjani Sassi fired a curler with the outside of the boot in the 62nd minute. In the 84th minute Mostafa Mohamed secured the final qualification with a remarkable header off a great cross from Ahmed Sayed Zizo for Zamalek to win 3-1. Zamalek’s victory meant a Cairo derby against Al Ahly will take place in the Champions League final for the first time in history.