CAF CL: Petro stun Wydad in Luanda as Zamalek pull off another late draw

• Petro have now picked four points in two matches
• Zamalek needed another late show to grab a point
• Petro now lead the group with four points

Petro de Luanda of Angola stormed to the top of Group D in the CAF Champions League after stunning two-time champions Wydad Club Athletic 2-1 in Luanda on Saturday.

Petro last weekend saw what would have been a famous win away to Zamalek cut down with the Egyptian White Knights equalizing late in a 2-2 draw, but were not ready to make the same mistakes at home, this time seeing off Wydad.

Despite a strong start by Wydad, it was Petro who would grab the lead when Tiago Azulao picked up a long ball before finding the back of the net as they went to the break with a goal to their advantage.

Upon resumption, each of the two sides were more invigorated in attack. It was Wydad who were more adventurous in attack and they equalized in the 58th minute with Jalal Daouadi who struck a sublime freekick beyond the keeper.

But Petro were relentless and searched for the win at home. Just 10 minutes later, they were back ahead when Yano came to the end of a beautiful teamwork, finishing off Jared’s pass.

Petro managed to hold on to the lead and stun Wydad, giving themselves a realistic chance of progressing into the quarter finals.

Meanwhile in the other group tie, Zamalek once again needed a late show to grab a point, playing to a 1-1 stalemate with Sagrada Esperanca.

Action between Zamalek and Sagrada Esperanca. PHOTO/Zamalek SC

Sagrada lost their opening group stage match 3-0 to Wydad, and the point is a plus to their campaign of making the quarter finals.

Zamalek had the better chances in the opening half but couldn’t find the back of the net. Achraf Bencharki saw a left footed shot from close range saved by the keeper while the ever green Shikabala also had a rasping shot from outside the area turned behind by Mutunda.

There were more chances to come for each side in the second half. In the 67th minute, Mutunda made a good point blank save to keep out Ahmed Fatouh’s shot after some quick movement of play released the defender out on the left.

In the final quarter hour of the game, it was Sagrada who were forcing Abou Gabal to work. In the 77th minute, the burly shot stopper had to go full stretch to turn away Karanga’s freekick behind for a corner.

A minute later, Gabal, Egypt’s hero at the Africa Cup of Nations was once again at full flight, this time pushing away Joseph Olatubosum’s left footed belter behind for another set piece.

Gabal thwarted the home side once again in the 83rd minute from point blank after Lionel Yombi was sent through on goal with a dicey pass from Bonginkosi Dlamini.

In the second minute of added time, Zamalek came close to snatching victory at the death but substitute Omar El Said was denied by the woodwork after taking a first time shot from a cross on the left.

The draw leaves Zamalek second in the standings with two points while Sagrada are bottom with one.