Zamalek defeated Ahly on penalties to win the CAF Super Cup

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Zamalek beat fellow Egyptian Al Ahly 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw to win the annual CAF Super Cup match in Riyadh on Friday.

Wessam Abou Ali had given Ahly the lead in the 44th minute with a hotly contested penalty in normal time, and substitute Nasser Mansy equalized in the 77th minute with his first touch of the ball.

Zamalek then converted their four penalties in the shootout, while Ahly failed twice as Mohamed Awad parried from Yahya Attia Allah and Abou Ali hit the post.

It was Zamalek's fifth Super Cup victory in six attempts in the annual showdown between the winners of the CAF Champions League and the second-tier CAF Confederation Cup.

Ahly remains the most successful club in the Supercup with eight wins, but has now also lost four times.

A thrilling finish after Zamalek's equalizer gave the 30,000-capacity Kingdom Arena stadium in the Saudi capital some restitution after a stop-start affair.

Zamalek were furious after Ahly were awarded a penalty in the 34th minute when Hamza Mathlouthi stepped on the left leg of Akram Tawfik, who had spoiled a good run with a weak shot at Awad.

The Libyan referee checked the incident on the VAR monitor and when he signaled a penalty, angry Zamalek players surrounded him.

At one point Zamalek's players went to the touchline and indicated they were walking away in protest, and it was ten minutes before play resumed and Palestinian international Abou Ali scored from the penalty spot.

As the referee ended the half-time break, security officers stormed onto the pitch and escorted him to the dressing rooms as Zamalek protested again.

With Zamalek having little influence in attack, Portuguese coach Jose Gomes brought Mansy into play, who converted a cross from Omar Gaber and pushed the ball past goalkeeper Mohamed el Shenawy.

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