Online Reporter
Egyptian clubs Zamalek and Al Masry reached the Caf Confederation Cup quarterfinals on Saturday at the expense of South African side Kaizer Chiefs.
Zamalek, the second most successful team in Caf club competitions with 13 titles, topped group D with 11 points after a tense 2-1 victory over Chiefs in Ismailia.
Masry, who have never gone beyond the semifinals of an African competition, pipped Chiefs on goal difference for second place by defeating Zesco United of Zambia 2-0 in Suez.
Both Masry (plus two goal difference) and Chiefs (plus one) completed the six rounds with 10 points in the African equivalent of the Uefa Europa League.
After having the better of a cagey, goalless first half, two-time Confederation Cup winners Zamalek took the lead on 53 minutes. Slack marking allowed Brazilian Juan Bezerra to nod a cross past goalkeeper Brandon Petersen, whose outstanding current form could win him a place in the South Africa 2026 World Cup squad.
Chiefs fell further behind on 72 minutes when they surrendered possession in their half and 40-year-old substitute Abdallah El Said fired past Petersen from close range.
The South African outfit responded swiftly with Congolese Glody Lilepo soaring in a crowded goalmouth to head a corner past another veteran, 38-year-old goalkeeper El Mahdi Soliman.
Chiefs losing meant their only hope of survival was Masry failing to beat Zesco, who had lost four of their previous five group matches. But second-half goals from Karim Bambo and Salah Mohsen ensured Masry of maximum points and a last-eight place.
USM Alger of Algeria and Olympique Safi of Morocco, both of whom had already qualified from group A, drew 0-0 in Algiers.
The deadlock kept 2023 Confederation Cup winners USM in first place with 14 points, one more than African debutants Safi.
Chabab Belouizdad of Algeria and AS Otoho of Congo-Brazzaville have also secured quarterfinal places.
In the afternoon’s Champions League action, Al Hilal and Mamelodi Sundowns secured progression from Group C. Hilal claimed top spot with a 1-0 win over St Eloi Lupopo in Kigali, with Steven Ebuela striking midway through the first half, while Sundowns finished two points behind the Sudanese in second spot thanks to a 2-0 triumph over MC Alger in Pretoria. Colombian Brayan Leon netted a brace of goals to see the South African club through to the quarters for the eighth successive season.
The early evening slot then featured Esperance de Tunis join Stade Malien in advancing from Group D. Malien finished top of the standings despite a 1-0 loss away to Simba SC (with the Tanzanian side scoring early via Anicet Oura), while the Blood and Gold secured second spot by defeating Petro de Luanda 2-0 in Tunis — second-half goals from Aboubacar Diakite and Jack Diarra powered the North Africans into the next phase.
In the night games from Group A, RS Berkane ensured that they joined reigning champions and already-qualified Pyramids FC in the next phase with a thumping 3-0 home win over Rivers United — with goals from Youssef Mehri and Paul Bassene (two).
Pyramids rounded out an unbeaten group stage (and helped smooth the path for Berkane) with a concurrent 3-1 win over Power Dynamos in Cairo. The hosts led through Mustafa Ziko before being pegged back by Fredrick Mulambia, only for Youssef Obama and Ewerton to strike in favour of the North African team. — SuperSport
Peter Tanyanyiwa