Zamalek produced a vivid attacking display to join Cairo rivals Ahly in the group stage of the African Confederation Cup following a 3-1 home win over DR Congo's Sanga Balende on Sunday.

The White Knights advanced with a 3-2 aggregate win, having slumped to a 1-0 first-leg defeat in a controversial match which included two disallowed goals for the visitors.

Zamalek were in control from the very beginning but could not break the deadlock in the first half, spurning some goal-scoring chances.

In-form playmaker Ayman Hefni, Zamalek's liveliest performer of the night, finally ended the resistance of Sanga Balende on 48 minutes when he neatly controlled a flick-on inside the area and volleyed home with his left foot, beating keeper Katembwe Kalambayi at the near post.

Versatile midfielder Omar Gaber added the second three minutes past the hour mark when he broke through following a deft, defence-splitting pass from veteran winger Ahmed Eid to place a low shot home.

Zamalek were briefly threatened when Sanga scored with their first effort on goal just one minute later, with Musema Ngowa's long range shot beating keeper Ahmed El-Shennawy.

Substitute Khaled Qamar came to Zamalek's rescue on 78 minutes when he fired home into an empty net after Sanga keeper Kalambayi failed to handle a tame cross.

Earlier on Sunday, Zamalek's bitter foes and Confederation Cup holders Ahly went through after beating Tunisia's Club Africain 5-4 on penalties following a 3-3 aggregate draw.

Zamalek will play in the same group as Tunisia's Sfaxien, South Africa's Orlando Pirates and AC Leopards of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Ahly were drawn with stade Malien of Mali and Tunisian duo Esperance and Etoile Sahel.

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