Zimbabwe Champions CAPS United fell 2-0 away to Zamaleck of Egypt on Friday in the opening CAF Champions league group game.

It was a disappointing start to Group B for the Harare club, who had knocked out TP Mazembe on goal aggregate en route to the expanded 16-club mini-league phase.

The Green Machine who were under siege in the opening minutes had goalkeeper Edmore Sibanda to thank as they went for the half time break goalless against the dominant Egyptian champions. 

CAPS United were better in the second half and were unlucky to fall to an Abdalla’s close range header 55 minutes into the game as the five time champions took the lead.

Zamalek then sat back and allowed CAPS to control the game with some methodical build ups from the back but they failed in the final third with some poor crosses and poor decision making.

With CAPS gaining confidence as the game progressed, it was Nigerian international Stanley Ohawuchi put the tie beyond doubt with the second goal after coming off the bench late in the game.

In the other group B game, USM Alger of Algeria beat Al Ahly Tripoli of Libya 3-0.