Zamalek forward Oday Dabbagh celebrate scoring against Otoho d’Oyo in African Confedration Cup
After a 1-1 draw in last week’s first leg, Zamalek appeared to be cruising as they struck twice early on, with defender Hossam Abdel-Meguid and Palestinian forward Oday Dabbagh scoring in the 17th and 24th minutes.
Zamalek dominated proceedings and squandered several clear chances to extend their lead.
However, the match took a dramatic turn when substitute striker Grace Mavoungo scored in the 84th minute with a superb strike from around 30 metres, leaving the visitors one goal away from progressing.
Tensions rose late on when Otoho players rushed to retrieve the ball in a bid to restart quickly, prompting a clash with Zamalek goalkeeper Mohamed Sobhy.
The referee initially showed a yellow card to Zamalek keeper before upgrading it to a red following a VAR review.
With Zamalek having used all five substitutions, Tunisian striker Seif Jaziri was forced to take over in goal for the closing minutes.
Zamalek held on under pressure, with their defence clearing late threats to secure qualification.
The Cairo side may draw confidence from a similar episode in 2019, when they were reduced to 10 men late in a Confederation Cup semi-final against Etoile Sportive du Sahel but still advanced and went on to lift the title.
Zamalek will face Algeria’s CR Belouizdad in the semi-finals after they progressed on away goals against Egypt’s Masry, following a 1-1 draw in Egypt and a goalless draw in Algeria.
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