CAF Champions League: Zamalek 1-1 Berekum Chelsea

Berekum Chelsea left their future in the hands of Al Ahly after only managing a point against Zamalek in a 1-1 draw game on Saturday. Both teams managed a goal in the first half with Mohammed Ibrahim and Nafiu Awudu grabbing the goals for the White Knights and the Blues respectively. The second half, however, was not as eventful despite the Ghanaians having to make a couple of goal line clearances as the game ended level. The game started well for both teams as both managed to cause some problems for the opposition. Emmanuel Clottey managed a strike from inside the penalty box which was blocked and Ernest Sowah had to be sharp to prevent a cross shot from creeping in at his near post. Zamalek reaped a result though in the 12th minute when Ibrahim curled the ball home from just outside the six-yard box to send the returning crowd wild after a combination of good skill and understanding with Abdoulaye Cisse and poor defending from the Blues. Chelsea went the other way almost immediately, but they were denied after the goalkeeper made a fantastic stop from Owusu�s drive before the leading goal scorer of the tournament failed to convert a low cross into his feet. The pressure finally paid off though as Nafiu slammed the ball home after a good free-kick into the box had resulted in a goal mouth melee. Ernest Sowah had to be alert to gather Ibrahim�s cross with a couple of Zamalek players lurking. Cisse managed to get on to the end of a well taken free kick but his little lob over Sowah failed to find the target. The goalkeeper then injured himself and required medical attention on two different occasions late in the half as the teams went in level. The second half started as the first one ended with the majority of the game being played in the middle of the pitch and Sowah having to receive treatment after every save with one of those saves being a crucial intervention to deflect a cross which was destined for the head of Cisse. The Ghanaians then wasted a couple of opportunities with wayward shots from distance before Sowah was forced into another brilliant reflex save, but the forward was ruled to have been in an offside position. Zamalek then took a hold of the game finding a way around the Berekum Chelsea defence time and again, but couldn�t find the target despite forcing a goal line clearance. Chelsea managed the occasional break forward with substitute Richard Kissi Boateng�s shot nearly slipping out of the goalkeeper�s grasp with Clottey lurking before the marksman was beaten to a low cross by Boateng. Berekum Chelsea will now be praying Al Ahly get a result against TP Mazembe to give them a chance of making it through to the semi-final of the competition.