Zamalek 4-0 Tusker (agg. 5-0): Brewers eliminated from Caf Champions League
The Kenyan champions will now turn their attention to the Caf Confederation Cup aiming at making it to the group stage
Tusker FC have been eliminated from the Caf Champions League after a 4-0 loss to Zamalek at Borg El Arab Stadium on Friday night.
Having lost the first leg by a solitary goal, the Kenyan champions came aiming at defying the odds to advance against the Egyptian giants.
But a brace from Youssef Obama and a goal each from Seifeddine Jaziri and Achraf Bencharki relegated the visitors to the Caf Confederation Cup playoff round.
There they will face one of the winners of the first round of qualifiers in the Confederation Cup for a place in the group stage of Africa’s secondary club competition.
Robert Matano made changes to his team, opting to play with Kalos Kirenge, Charles Momanyi and Eugine Asike in the defence while Joshua Ibrahim, Boniface Muchiri, and Deogratious Ojok were preferred in attack.
The Brewers pushed for an opening goal, but Zamalek were not going to give in easily owing to their experience. Hillary Wanders, uncharacteristically, looked nervous and was booked in the seventh minute for a needless foul.
Three minutes later, the defender, once again, made a rushed challenge to hand the hosts a free-kick in a good position. It was brought in and Matasi missed the ball, which fell to the unmarked Obama who headed into an empty net.
Moments later, Joshua was fouled by Zamalek about 20-yards from goal, Muchiri took the matter into his hands but he failed to deliver and the ball was easily cleared by the hosts.
The East Africans lost possession in the 19th minute, and a swift counter-attack caught the players out of position.
It ended with the ball with Jaziri who converted into an empty net once after Matasi had tried to salvage the situation.
It was the Egyptian champions who had several clear chances to get more goals in the first half, but lack of composure and timely interventions by the visitors saved the situation.
The White Knight started the second half the better side, and it took Matasi’s swift reaction to clear a dangerous ball that had beaten the defenders.
After several close calls, the Brewers eventually conceded the third goal in the 72nd minute. Bencharki, who scored in the first leg in Nairobi, expertly beat the defenders before slotting the ball past the goalkeeper.
It got worse for the Football Kenya Federation Premier League champions who conceded the fourth two minutes later, courtesy of Obama.
The Kenyans will now return home to start preparations for Africa’s second-tier competition hoping to qualify for the group stage.
