Zamalek back on track; Sundowns hold Wydad in Casablanca

by Graeme Jackson

Saturday Dec 07, 2019. 23:40

Africa’s top tier continental competition, the CAF Champions League, continued with five matches on Saturday, featuring a goalless stalemate between familiar foes Wydad Casablanca and Mamelodi Sundowns, while Egyptian giants Zamalek bounced back to winning ways.

The night clashes in North Africa featured the Brazilians and WAC once again crossing swords, but this time the South African side managed a first positive result in Casablanca, as a 0-0 draw saw them retain their place at the top of Group C.

In Cairo, Zamalek brought themselves back into the reckoning in Group A with a 2-0 win over Primeiro de Agosto. New coach Patrice Carteron saw the White Knights recover from last week’s heavy 3-0 loss to TP Mazembe in Lubumbashi thanks to a brace from Achraf Bencharki.

The day’s action opened in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe where Tunisia’s Etoile du Sahel racked up an imperious 3-0 win over hosts FC Platinum to go three points clear at the top of Group B. Karim Aribi (two) and Hazem Haj Hassen netted for ESS.

At the same time in Angola, hosts Petro de Luanda fought back from a goal down to secure a 1-1 draw against Algerian visitors USM Alger. The North Africans claimed the lead through Zakaria Benchaa, but Toni hit back for Petro.

The early evening game in Ndola saw Zambian hosts Zesco United unable to match the strength of DR Congo heavyweights TP Mazembe. The Ravens went to six points at the top of the Group A standings with a 2-1 triumph at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in which Jackson Muleka scored another two goals.

The Champions League will return with matchday three in the group stage on the weekend of 27-28 December.

CAF Champions League results, Saturday 7 December

Wydad Casablanca 0-0 Mamelodi Sundowns