CAF Champions League
Ten-man Zamalek hold on in dramatic Otoho clash to reach semi-finals
Zamalek booked their place in the semi-finals of the CAF Confederation Cup on Sunday after a dramatic 2-1 victory over Congo’s Otoho, surviving a tough clash in Cairo to progress 3-2 on aggregate.
The Egyptian side looked to be cruising after racing into a two-goal lead early on, but a late goal, a red card, and an extraordinary finish — which saw striker Seifeddine Jaziri forced into goal — turned the match into a tense battle for survival.
In the end, Zamalek held firm under pressure to secure their place in the last four, where they will face Algeria’s CR Belouizdad.
Fast start puts Zamalek in control
Backed by a lively home crowd at Cairo International Stadium, Zamalek started with intent and quickly imposed themselves on the contest.
Their breakthrough came in the 16th minute when Hossam Abdel-Maguid rose highest to meet a well-delivered corner from Abdullah El-Said, powering a header past the goalkeeper.
Just minutes later, the hosts doubled their advantage.
Oday Dabbagh reacted quickest inside the penalty area after El-Said’s initial effort was parried, calmly finishing the rebound to give Zamalek a commanding lead on the night.
With momentum firmly on their side, Zamalek continued to threaten, coming close to a third goal before the break as efforts struck the woodwork in quick succession.
Missed chances keep tie alive
Despite their dominance, Zamalek were unable to extend their lead further, leaving the tie still within reach for the visitors.
Otoho, largely contained in the first half, showed glimpses of danger on the counterattack but struggled to break down a well-organised Zamalek defence.
As the second half unfolded, the tempo slowed slightly, with Zamalek appearing in control as they managed possession and limited clear opportunities for the Congolese side.
Late drama shifts momentum
The match took a dramatic turn in the closing stages.
In the 83rd minute, Otoho reignited the contest when Grace Mavungo unleashed a powerful strike from distance that flew past the goalkeeper, reducing the deficit and injecting tension into the stadium.
Moments later, the situation escalated further.
Zamalek goalkeeper Mohamed Sobhi was shown a straight red card following an altercation with an Otoho player, leaving the hosts with ten men and no recognised goalkeeper on the pitch.
With all substitutions already used, forward Seifeddine Jaziri was forced to don the gloves, creating an extraordinary scenario in the dying minutes of a high-stakes continental tie.
Holding on under pressure
Sensing an opportunity, Otoho pushed forward relentlessly in search of a second goal that would have changed the outcome of the tie.
The visitors launched a series of attacks, attempting long-range efforts and crosses into the penalty area, testing Zamalek’s makeshift defensive setup.
Jaziri, now guarding the goal, was protected by a determined defensive effort as Zamalek players threw themselves into challenges and blocked attempts to preserve their advantage.
Seven minutes of added time felt like an eternity for the home supporters, but Zamalek managed to withstand the pressure and see out the match.
Semi-final place secured
The final whistle sparked relief and celebration among the Zamalek players and fans, confirming their progression to the semi-finals.
-Cafonline
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Mamelodi Sundowns held firm under intense pressure in Bamako to book their place in the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League, advancing 3-2 on aggregate despite a 2-0 second-leg defeat to Stade Malien on Sunday.
The South African champions, who arrived with a commanding first-leg advantage, were pushed to the brink by a determined Stade Malien side but ultimately did enough to secure a fourth consecutive semi-final appearance.
Early Shock in Bamako
The hosts made a dream start, taking the lead inside the opening minute through Taddeus Nkeng, whose close-range header was confirmed by VAR after an initial offside call. The early goal ignited the home crowd and unsettled Sundowns, who struggled to find their rhythm amid relentless pressing from the Malian side.
Nkeng appeared to double the lead moments later, but VAR once again intervened to rule the effort out for offside, offering Sundowns a temporary reprieve.
Mandjan Strikes as Hosts Take Control
Stade Malien’s pressure paid off just before half-time when Haman Mandjan capitalised on a loose ball in the penalty area, firing home a powerful shot off the underside of the crossbar to make it 2-0 on the night.
With the aggregate scoreline now finely balanced, momentum swung firmly in favour of the hosts, while Sundowns struggled to create clear chances, with Arthur Sales missing their best opportunity of the half.
Sundowns Regain Composure
After the break, Sundowns showed greater composure, slowing the tempo and attempting to reassert control. They thought they had found a crucial away goal when Iqraam Rayners turned the ball home from close range, but the effort was ruled out for offside.
Coach Miguel Cardoso responded by introducing fresh legs as his side focused on game management and protecting their aggregate lead.
Late Drama and Defensive Resolve
The closing stages brought further tension when Sundowns were reduced to ten men following a straight red card for Aubrey Modiba.
Sensing an opportunity to force extra time, Stade Malien launched wave after wave of attacks, testing goalkeeper Ronwen Williams. However, the Sundowns defence held firm, showing resilience and discipline to withstand the late onslaught despite their numerical disadvantage.
Aggregate Advantage Seals Progress
Although beaten on the night, Sundowns’ first-leg dominance ultimately proved decisive as they advanced to the last four.
For Stade Malien, the result marked a valiant effort that came close to overturning the tie, while Sundowns once again demonstrated the experience and composure required to navigate the pressures of knockout football at the highest level on the continent.
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It was a disappointing weekend for Egyptian football on the continental stage as all three representatives—Pyramids FC, Al Ahly and Al Masry—crashed out of their respective CAF interclub competitions at the quarter-final stage.
Pyramids FC Fall to AS FAR
Defending champions Pyramids FC were eliminated from the CAF Champions League after a 2-1 home defeat to Morocco’s AS FAR at Cairo’s 30 June Stadium.
Having secured a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Rabat, the Egyptian side entered the return leg with a slight advantage but were undone by a clinical Moroccan performance.
Reda Slim gave AS FAR an early lead in the ninth minute, while Mohamed Rabie Hrimat doubled the advantage early in the second half. Although Fiston Mayele pulled one back in the 64th minute, Pyramids could not find the equaliser as AS FAR advanced 3-2 on aggregate.
The visitors maintained defensive discipline under sustained pressure to seal a semi-final berth, where they will face either RS Berkane or Al-Hilal.
Ahly Stunned by Esperance in Cairo
In a major upset, record African champions Al Ahly were knocked out following a 3-2 home defeat to Tunisia’s Esperance Sportive de Tunis at the Cairo International Stadium.
Already trailing 1-0 from the first leg, Ahly exited 4-2 on aggregate, marking their first failure to reach the semi-finals since 2019.
Mahmoud Trezeguet gave Ahly an early lead, but Esperance responded strongly in the second half through Florian Danho and Mohamed Tougai, who converted from the penalty spot. Substitute Marwan Othman briefly restored parity late on, but Hamza Jelassi struck a stoppage-time winner to seal a famous victory.
The result also marked Esperance’s first-ever CAF Champions League win over Ahly on Egyptian soil.
Masry Exit on Away Goals
In the CAF Confederation Cup, Al Masry were eliminated after a goalless draw against Algeria’s CR Belouizdad at the Nelson Mandela Stadium.
Following a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Suez, the Port Said side were knocked out on the away goals rule.
Despite a disciplined defensive display and moments of attacking promise, Masry were unable to find the breakthrough, with CR Belouizdad advancing to the semi-finals.
A Rare Continental Setback
The triple elimination marks a rare setback for Egyptian clubs, traditionally dominant forces in African competitions.
For Ahly, the defeat ended a consistent run of semi-final appearances, while Pyramids’ title defence came to an abrupt halt. Masry, meanwhile, bowed out at the same stage for the second consecutive season.
Zamalek will attempt to scale through this Sunday in their quarter-final second leg match on the CAF Confederation Cup against the Congolese side, AS Otoho. The Egyptian side earned a 1-1 draw in Brazzaville.
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CAF Champions League
Champions League holders Pyramids and record winners Al Ahly stunned in quarters
Holders Pyramids and record champions Al Ahly both crashed out of the African Champions League quarter‑finals on Saturday, losing to Morocco’s Royal Armed Forces and Tunisian Esperance respectively on a bleak night for Egyptian soccer.
Pyramids’ 3-2 aggregate loss ended their title defence despite a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Rabat. The Egyptians won their first African Champions League crown last June, beating South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns.
Rida Slim put the visitors ahead in the ninth minute at Cairo’s 30 June Stadium before Mohamed Rabie Hrimat doubled the lead with a 54th‑minute header. Fiston Mayele halved the deficit in the 62nd minute but the Egyptians could not find the equaliser that would have sent the tie straight to penalties.
“This is a historic win and a historic qualification for the club,” forward Youssef El Fahli told beIN Sports. “We have the determination to fight for the title this season and, God willing, we’ll bring home the club’s second continental crown.”
Royal Armed Forces will face fellow Moroccans Renaissance Berkane or Sudan’s Al-Hilal in the semi-finals, hoping to move a step closer to a second continental crown after winning the African Cup of Champions Clubs in 1985 when they beat AS Bilima (now AS Dragons) of then Zaire, now Democratic Republic of Congo.
Al Ahly, the record 12‑times African champions, took a 10th‑minute lead through Mahmoud Trezeguet but Esperance levelled in the 68th minute when Florian Danho drove in from outside the box past goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir.
The Tunisian champions went ahead in the 78th when Mohamed Amine Tougai converted a penalty. Although Ahly drew level at 2-2 in the 84th minute via an own goal by Hamza Jelassi from a Marwan Othman header, Jelassi redeemed himself with a 94‑minute winner from a Youssef Msakni corner to complete a second-leg 3-2 victory for a 4-2 win on aggregate.
Esperance will face Mamelodi Sundowns or Mali’s Stade Malien in the semi‑finals.
-Reuters
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