• Giant-killing Dynamos claim Asec scalp • Dynamos beat African champions • Dynamos survive Mozambique scare • Dynamos take commanding lead over Sol

By Nkanyiso Moyo

ZAMALEK struck early on Sunday, and then held on for a narrow Champions League group phase win over Zimbabwean champions, Dynamos, in the Egyptian capital, Cairo.

Zamalek won an early corner in the third minute which the Dynamos defence partially cleared. The ball fell invitingly for defender Amr El Safti who slammed the ball into the nets.

Despite the early setback at a packed Cairo Military Academy Stadium, Dynamos fought back and were unlucky not to draw level when Reuben Mhlanga’s free-kick crashed against the crossbar on 32 minutes.

Edward Sadomba, the Champions League leading marksman with five goals, could have won a point for Dynamos with five minutes on the clock but his goal-bound shot was blocked.

Zamalek fashioned their own chances and were twice also denied by the woodwork – first from Al-Safty’s header which clipped the upright, and then Gamal Hamza’s effort from close range.

Zamalek, who did enough for victory, were without injured Ghana striker Junior Agogo and Dynamos were lacking the leadership of injured midfielder, Desmond Maringwa.

It was a disappointing evening for coach David Mandigora who was forced to pull out his ineffective skipper Murape Murape and the equally subdued Benjamin Marere as Dynamos tried to rally back from the early upset.

Dynamos’ defeat, though, was cushioned by the other Group A result which saw Asec Mimosas draw 0-0 with El Ahly. Dynamos stay second on the table with three points – the same as Zamalek – behind El Ahly who have four points.

The top two teams at the end of the group phase from Group A and Group B proceed to the semi-finals.

Meanwhile, Nigerian club Enyimba put their campaign back on track with an impressive 2-0 home win over Coton Sport of Cameroon in Aba on Sunday.

The win moves Enyimba into second place in Group B, following their 3-2 defeat away to Al Hilal of Sudan in their opening game.

Enyimba took the lead a minute before half time when Ezenwa Otorogo scored from close range after a shot by Stephen Worgu was spilled by the Coton Sport goalkeeper.

Worgu was on target two minutes after the break, coming one-on-one with the keeper to fire in his 11th goal of this season's Champions League campaign.

Group A Results:
Zamalek 1-0 Dynamos FC; Asec Mimosas 0-0 El Ahly

Group B Results:
Enyimba 2-0 Coton Sport; TP Mazembe 0-0 El Hilal

NEXT FIXTURES:

Asec Mimosas v El Ahly
(Côted’Ivoire) (Egypt)
Date:02/08/08
H:Local/e H.
15H30
Venue/ Lieu:Champroux Stadium, Abidjan
Ref.HicuburundiJean-Marie (Burundi)
A.IGahungu Desire (Burundi)
A.IIBirumushahuJean-Marie (Burundi)
R.R.NiyongaboAthanase (Burundi)
Com.AdjagodoMartin ( Benin)
G.Coord.AtabSambou (Senegal)

El Ahly v Dynamos FC
(Egypt) (Zimbabwe)
17/08/08
H: Local/e H.
20:00
Venue / Lieu : Cairo International Stadium
Ref.Ncobo Aldrin (South Africa)
A. I Malebo Toko (South Africa)
A. IIRezeers Andrew (South Africa)
R.R.Nhlapo Jonas (South Africa)
Com.Mahmoud Hammami (Tunisia)
G. Coord.Massa Diarra (Mauritania)

Zamalek v Asec Mimosas
(Egypt) (Côte d’Ivoire)
16/08/08
H: Local/e H.
21H:00
Venue / Lieu: Cairo International Stadium
Ref.Haimoudi Djamel (Algeria)
A. ISedrati Ahmed (Algeria)
A. IITahir Beladi (Algeria)
R.R.Benaissa Lamine (Algeria)
Com. Mohamed Moufid (Morocco)
G. Coord.Ridha Kraiem (Tunisia)

Dynamos FC v El Ahly
(Zimbabwe) (Egypt)
30/08/08
H: Local/e H.
14H:30
Venue / Lieu: Rufaro Stadium, Harare
Ref.Pare Lassina (Burkina faso)
A. IPare Lossene (Burkina faso)
A. IIDiaby Lalama (Burkina faso)
R.R.Banao Seydou (Burkina faso)
Com.Makgalemele P. (Botswana)
G. Coord.Sue Destombes (South Africa)

Asec Mimosas v Zamalek
(Côte d’Ivoire) (Egypt)
31/08/08
H: Local/e H.
15H:30
Venue / Lieu: Champroux Stadium, Abidjan
Ref.Djaoupe Kokou (Togo)
A. IKonyoh Komi (Togo)
A. IIKouma Komi (Togo)
R.R.Atsoo Kokou (Togo)
Com.Martin Adjagodo (benin)
G. Coord.Abel Mbengue (Cameroon)

FACTS:
Group A and Group B winners and runners-up advance to two-leg semi-finals and the final is also staged on a home-and-away basis.

The champions will pocket US$1m and also secure a place at the annual FIFA Club World Cup in Japan.

GROUP A

	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	PTS
Al Ahly	2	1	1	0	2	1	4
Dynamos	2	1	0	1	2	2	3
Zamalek	2	1	0	1	2	2	3
Asec Mimosas	2	0	1	1	1	2	1

GROUP B

	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	PTS
Al Hilal	2	1	1	0	3	2	4
Enyimba	2	1	0	1	4	3	3
Coton Sport	2	1	0	1	1	2	3
TP Mazembe	2	0	1	1	0	1	1

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