Zamalek came from behind to secure a hard-fought 3-2 victory over second-tier Egyptian League side Proxy FC in the Round of 32 of the Egypt Cup, avoiding another setback in their 2023 catastrophic season.
Proxy FC striker Kamel Ahmed stunned the Egyptian league defending champions with an early goal in the 7th minute, but Zamalek youth fullback Hatem Sokar leveled the score just three minutes before the break.
Veteran striker Ahmed Gomaa then shocked Zamalek again, netting the second for the second-tier side in the 56th minute. However, Tunisian fullback Hamza Methlouthi scored the equalizer in the 78th minute, while his compatriot Seif Jaziri scored the winner in the 9th minute of the first extra-time.
Despite the win, Zamalek produced a poor performance against a brave Proxy FC side that managed to embarrass the 28-time Egypt Cup winners on several occasions during the game.
The White Knights avoided a disappointing scenario similar to that of 2008 when they were eliminated from the same round after losing 1-0 to another second-tier side, Bani Ebid.
They will face the winner of the game between Pharco FC and Masreya Lil Etissalat in the next round.
Zamalek are undergoing a catastrophic season, having already exited the CAF Champions League from the Group stage and virtually lost the chance to retain their league title, won in the past two seasons.
They currently lie fourth in the league table with 43 points, ten points behind leaders Ahly, who have four matches in hand.
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