Zamalek forward Mohamed Ibrahim said his side's 4-1 Champions League win over Congo's AC Leopards was a timely apology to the team's disgruntled supporters.

The ailing Cairo giants, who had been already eliminated before facing Leopards, recorded a consolation victory after coming from behind to thrash Leopards in the Red Sea resort of El-Gouna.

It was their second win in six matches, with their poor results extending their barren run in Africa's elite club competition to 11 years, having won the last of their five Champions League titles in 2002.

"We were eager to beat Leopards to apologise to our fans," Ibrahim, who scored Zamalek's equaliser after Leopards had taken the lead, said on the club's official website after the game.

"We defeated a strong team which produced strong performances during the competition and they were close to reaching the semis."

Ibrahim is one of Zamalek's brightest talents but he was still benched by coach Helmi Toulan during most of the group-stage games, prompting critics to question the manager's tendency to leave out such a mercurial forward.

Zamalek finished with seven points, on level with Leopards. Arch-rivals Ahly topped the group with 11 points, three ahead of second-placed Orlando Pirates of South Africa.

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