Zamalek SC have officially filed a complaint with CAF following Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Kaizer Chiefs in a CAF Confederation Cup Group D match at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.
As the Egyptian side appeared headed for victory, Amakhosi salvaged a point deep into stoppage time. Thanks to Zamalek goalkeeper Mohamed Sobhi fumbling a Dillan Solomons effort into his own net, Chiefs escaped humiliation in their own backyard.
Tunisian striker Seifeddine Jaziri had thrust the visitors ahead as early as three minutes into the contest, as the visitors threatened to run amok. But a full set of maximum points slipped through their hands as they returned to Cairo with just a point in the bag.
Failure to win in Polokwane denied them an opportunity to climb to the top of Group D. They are second on the table with two points fewer than leaders Al Masry, as Amakhosi are third and still winless.
WHAT ARE ZAMALEK’S EXACT GRIEVANCES AFTER THE CHIEFS MATCH?
The North Africans felt aggrieved by how the game went. They have approached CAF, complaining about the way Rwandan referee Samuel Uwikunda and his assistants handled the contest. They feel the decisions by the match officials compromised the game.
“Zamalek Club asserts in its complaint that the refereeing errors in this match affected the final result of the encounter,” announced Zamalek.
“The team deserved a penalty kick for the Angolan player Chico Banza, in addition to the cancellation of a valid goal for the Tunisian Saifeddine Jaziri without a reason that is clear to everyone who watched the match.”
Uwikunda booked three Zamalek players and also flashed as many yellow cards to Chiefs players.
‘In addition to the referee’s excessive use of yellow cards against Zamalek players throughout the match,” the club claimed.
ZAMALEK PRESENT CAF WITH A LIST OF DEMANDS
“Zamalek, in its complaint to CAF, demands the need to intervene and select appropriate referees to reduce the phenomenon of refereeing errors that affect the results of many matches in the tournament,” wrote the five-time African champions.
“The club also urgently demands that CAF ensure the presence of Video Assistant Referee [VAR] technology in upcoming matches, starting from the third round of the group stage.
“The absence of VAR technology in matches affects the integrity of the competition, and it is time to take decisions that will reform the refereeing system at the level of African tournaments, including the Confederation Cup.”
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