Egyptian club Zamalek were crowned 2018/19 Total CAF Confederation Cup champions following a 5-3 penalty shootout victory over Morocco’s RS Berkane at the Borg el Arab Stadium near Alexandra, Egypt.
The win saw Zamalek claim their first CAF title since 2003 and their 10th overall in CAF competitions. Only Al Ahly of Egypt (19) and TP Mazembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo (11) have won more CAF titles.
The CAF Confederation Cup win is Zamalek’s first in their history.
Mahmoud Alaa scored a penalty on 55 minutes to give Zamalek a 1-0 second-leg win over Berkane to level the score at 1-1 on aggregate.
Berkane had won the first leg 1-0 at the Stade Municipal de Berkane in Morocco a week ago.
The Moroccans could have increased their advantage early on but Hamdi Laachir missed an excellent chance on six minutes from close range.
Alaa’s goal meant the tie went straight to a penalty shootout as there is no extra-time in CAF club competition matches.
The Egyptians converted all five penalties while Laachir missed his spot kick, Berkane’s first in the shootout.
Zamalek coach Christian Gross became the second Swiss coach to lift the Confederation Cup after Michel Decastel did so in 2007 with Tunisia’s CS Sfaxien.
The Egyptians pocketed $1.25 million in prize money while Berkane took home $625,000.
Zamalek will play the winners of the CAF Champions League final between Esperance of Tunisia and Wydad Casablanca in the CAF Super Cup.
