Palestinian Dabbagh rescues outplayed Zamalek in CAF Cup

Palestinian Oday Dabbagh scored to give Zamalek of Egypt a fortunate 1-1 draw at AS Otoho of Congo Brazzaville on Saturday in a CAF Confederation Cup quarter-final first leg.

The 27-year-old striker raced on to a long lofted pass, allowed the ball to bounce, then slammed a half-volley past goalkeeper Aboubacar Doumbia after 32 minutes in the Congolese capital.

Charles Atipo had given Otoho a 13th-minute lead, firing a free kick from outside the area over goalkeeper Mohamed Sobhy and into the corner of the net.

After a hesitant start to the second half, Otoho took control only to be let down by a lack of clinical finishing, with Bandiougou Diallo the chief culprit.

The Malian had several chances to regain the lead for the Congolese club, but a lack of urgency and some wild shooting proved his undoing.

While the Cairo outfit spent most of the second half defending, they did create a chance through a counter attack only for substitute Ahmed Sherif to blaze wide.

The result leaves two-time Confederation Cup winners Zamalek favoured to reach the semi-finals after the second leg on March 22 in Cairo.

Drawing ended a run of four straight victories at home by knockout-stage debutants Otoho in the African equivalent of the UEFA Europa League.

Their victims included Chabab Belouizdad of Algeria and 2024/25 Confederation Cup semi-finalists Stellenbosch of South Africa.

The other Egyptian challengers, Al Masry, host Belouizdad in Suez later on Saturday. The clubs are among six from north Africa to reach the quarter-finals.