Zamalek Maintain Perfect CAF Cup Record

Zamalek’s starting eleven pose for a group picture during the Lusail Super Cup football match at the Lusail Stadium on the outskirts of Qatar’s capital Doha on September 9, 2022. (File: AFP)
Zamalek’s starting eleven pose for a group picture during the Lusail Super Cup football match at the Lusail Stadium on the outskirts of Qatar’s capital Doha on September 9, 2022. (File: AFP)
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Zamalek Maintain Perfect CAF Cup Record

Zamalek’s starting eleven pose for a group picture during the Lusail Super Cup football match at the Lusail Stadium on the outskirts of Qatar’s capital Doha on September 9, 2022. (File: AFP)
Zamalek’s starting eleven pose for a group picture during the Lusail Super Cup football match at the Lusail Stadium on the outskirts of Qatar’s capital Doha on September 9, 2022. (File: AFP)

Ahmed 'Zizo' Sayed scored as Zamalek of Egypt maintained a perfect CAF Confederation Cup group record with a 1-0 win over Esperanca Sagrada of Angola in Alexandria on Saturday.

The 27-year-old winger struck on 42 minutes with a low shot across Congolese goalkeeper Nathan Keletshum and into the far corner of the net.

After a tougher than expected Group B win over the Angolan outfit, Zamalek have nine points, Salim and Esperanca three each and SOAR none, AFP reported.

Confederation Cup debutants Salim do not have an international-standard home ground so they will host Academie on Sunday in the Algerian city of Annaba.

Group winners and runners-up qualify for the quarter-finals of a competition whose 14 previous title-holders include Zamalek in 2019.



Ronaldo Slams 'Unfair' Ballon D'Or Result After Vinicius Snub

Five-time Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo (file photo/AFP)
Five-time Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo (file photo/AFP)
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Ronaldo Slams 'Unfair' Ballon D'Or Result After Vinicius Snub

Five-time Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo (file photo/AFP)
Five-time Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo (file photo/AFP)

Five-time Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo said on Friday it was "unfair" that Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior missed out on this year's award.

Manchester City midfielder Rodri took the prestigious prize in October with favourite Vinicius in second place

Rodri helped City to a fourth straight Premier League title and Spain to Euro 2024 while attacker Vinicius guided Madrid to a record-extending 15th Champions League, AFP reported.

This year's ceremony in Paris was clouded by controversy after Vinicius' Madrid boycotted the event.

"In my opinion he deserved to win the golden ball. It was unfair, I say it here in front of everybody," former Madrid attacker Ronaldo said at the ceremony of the Global Soccer Awards.

"They gave it to Rodri, he deserved it too but I think they should have given it to Vinicius because he won a Champions League," the Portugal captain added.

Only Argentina superstar Lionel Messi with his six successes has won the Ballon d'Or more than Ronaldo.

The winner of the Ballon d'Or is chosen from the shortlist by an international jury of 100 specialist journalists.