Zamalek’s Benin striker handed 4-match ban

Zamalek striker Razak Omotoyossi has been handed a four-match ban by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) after being involved in an angry exchange with the referee during a Champions League game. The Benin international remonstrated with the Senegalese official in the latter stages of Zamalek’s 2-1 defeat by Ivorian outfit Africa Sports in the second leg of the competition’s round of 32. The Cairo giants went through on the away-goal rule after striker Amr Zaki converted a penalty with eight minutes remaining. “The club are planning to appeal CAF’s decision to ban Omotoyossi for four matches,” Zamalek said in a statement on their official website. Zamalek will now have to do without Omotoyossi for their two-legged round of 16 tie against Morocco’s MAS Fez. The 26-year-old has made a fine impact since joining Zamalek last year. He scored the goal which gave the White Knights a 1-0 home win over Africa Sports in the first leg of the Champions League round of 32. “We are very sad that Omotoyossi is banned for four matches. But we are sure that CAF may reduce the ban to three or two matches upon our appeal,” Zamalek assistant coach Ismail Youssef said. “Omotoyossi is an influential player but we can still make up for his absence. We have several other forwards such as Amr Zaki, Mido, Ahmed Gaafar and Shikabala.”