CAIRO, Dec 14: A long range drive from midfielder Tamer Abdelhamid gave Egypt’s Zamalek a 1-0 win over Raja Casablanca of Morocco in a tempestuous African Champions League final on Friday.

A closely fought second leg tussle, that often spilt over into violence, was decided in stoppage time at the end of the first half.

Abdelhamid snatched up a poor clearance from Raja defender Nabil Masloub, cut through two tackles and then shot from outside the penalty area.

Raja goalkeeper Mustapha Chadli got a hand to his curling shot but the ball dipped into the net to hand the Egyptian club a record fifth Champions League title.

The two sides had played a goalless draw in the first leg in Casablanca a fortnight ago, setting up a much anticipated return game in front of 70,000 at the Cairo stadium.

It was Zamalek’s first win since 1996.—Reuters

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