Cisse’s late header in Ethiopia lifts Zamalek to Champions League group stage (Al Ahram)
By Hatem Maher
In-form striker Abdoulaye Cisse headed home at the death to lift Egypt’s Zamalek to the African Champions League group stage on the away goal rule following a 2-2 draw at Ethiopia’s Saint George on Saturday.
The Burkinabe put the visitors in front after two minutes but St. George’s Shimelese Bekele levelled the aggregate score on the quarter hour mark.
St. George were on course to cause an upset and eliminate the five-time African Champions after Isaac Isinde gave them the lead on the stroke of halftime but Cisse came to Zamalek’s rescue with a close-range header two minutes from time.
Cisse, who is enjoying a new lease of life under Brazilian coach Jorvan Vieira, got the nod ahead of Ahmed Gaafar after putting in some efficient displays lately, including scoring another late winner over Dakhleya in the Egyptian Premier League last week.
He also netted with eight minutes remaining to help Zamalek salvage a 1-1 draw at home to St. George in the first leg two weeks ago.
Read more at english.ahram.org.
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Related:
BBC Sport: Saint George Aim for Champions League first (BBC Sport)
Ethiopia is on the rise with a Saint George-dominated national squad reaching the 2013 Cup of Nations after a 31-year absence and topping a World Cup qualifying group that includes South Africa. (Photos courtesy Saint George Football Club)
BBC News
Saint George hope to become the first Ethiopian club to reach the Champions League group stage when they host Zamalek of Egypt.
The Addis Ababa outfit exceeded expectations with a 1-1 draw against the five-time African champions in Cairo two weeks ago, taking the lead through Oumed Oukri before Abdoulaye Cisse snatched a late equaliser.
After decades in the football doldrums, Ethiopia are on the rise with a Saint George-dominated national squad reaching the 2013 Cup of Nations after a 31-year absence and topping a World Cup qualifying group that includes South Africa.
Having fired eight unanswered goals past Jamhuri of Zanzibar and comfortably disposed of Djoliba of Mali, the Saints find themselves in unchartered territory with a lucrative mini-league slot tantalisingly close.
“It would be amazing to make the group stage,” admits German coach Michael Kruger, who guided Egyptian club Arab Contractors to the 1996 African Cup Winners Cup title.
“We must be cautious and determined as Zamalek will come to Addis searching for a win and their continental experience is much broader than that of my players,” he warned.
Read more at BBC News.
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Related:
Young Ethiopian American Uses Soccer to Give Back to Ethiopia — Video
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