CAIRO — Egyptian giants Zamalek claimed victory in the CAF Confederation Cup group stage.
The White Knights, who won the competition in 2019, defeated Libya’s Abu Salem 1-0 in Group B at home.
Playmaker Youssef Obama scored the game sole goal in the 73rd minutes.
CAF Confederation Cup action resumes next weekend with more bumper-to-bumper action lined up across the continent, as the race towards a place in the quarter-finals gains momentum, cafonline reported.
In a simultaneous Group B fixture, Sagrada Esperanca welcomed Guinean side, CO Coyah to Angola. A goal in each half saw the Angolan side secure maximum points courtesy of Lepua’s 35th minutes opener before Luis Tati secured the victory in the 75th minutes.
Another Angolan side was in action as Academica do Lobito travelled to Nigeria to face Rivers United, who comfortably cruised past the Angolans with a heavy 3-0 scoreline thanks to goals by Samuel Antwi in the 3rd minute, before Paul Odeh and Shedrack Asiegbu put the game beyond reach for the visitors.
In Congo, Diables Noirs suffered a disappointing defeat at the hands of Stade Malien, cafonline reported.
The Malian visitors wasted no time in punishing what seemed to be a disorganized Diables Noirs defense.
Amadou Traore fired the visitors into the lead in the 4th minute before Yoro Diaby doubled the lead just a few minutes later.
With minutes before the break, Issah Yakubu made it three as the hosts went into the break a dejected side.
A consolation was found by Lorry Nkolo in the 69th minutes, who converted a penalty to conclude the match with a 3-1 defeat at home.
Elsewhere, Egyptian side, Modern Future narrowly edged SuperSport United of South Africa by a goal thanks to a late Ghanam Mohamed strike to secure a vital win at home their opening CAF Confederation Cup group match.
For the better part of the match, the South Africans held their nerve against the north African side who couldn’t break the Gavin Hunt led side.
It was only in the 76th minutes that Ghanam Mohamed found the only goal of the match to give his side the hard-fought victory against United.
The victory for Future sets them up for the hard task ahead of them next week when they face Al Hilal Benghazi in Libya.
Meanwhile in another fixture in North Africa, Tunisia’s Club Africain cruised past Ghana’s Dreams FC with a 2-0 victory at home.
The Tunisians bossed their West African opponents from the opening whistle, with goals by Tayeb Meziani in the 5th minute along with a Kingsley Eduwo strike in the 19th minute to put the match to bed from the onset.
Dreams will have the opportunity to redeem themselves next week in an interesting tie against Nigeria’s Rivers United at home, while the Tunisians travel to Angola to face Academica do Lobito.
A highly entertaining weekend of Confederation Cup group stage action concluded with USM Alger and RS Berkane getting good results at home.
A full day of high-octane African club football was on display throughout the continent as the group stages marked the resumption of the exciting competition currently held by USM Alger.
The defending champions went top of Group A after a 2-0 victory at home over Al Hilal Benghazi of Libya.
Away from home, the Libyans made the champions work hard for their victory as they kept them at bay for most parts of the encounter.
It took 54 minutes for the Algerians to eventually get the opener with Islam Merili being on target before Tumisang Orebonye put the final nail in the coffin in referee’s additional time to give his side the victory.
In another fixture up north, two-time champions (2020, 2022), RS Berkane played host to tournament debutants, Sekhukhune United of South Africa.
The former champions wasted no time in getting the lead as Adil Tahif opened the scoring in the 14th minute before a late strike towards the closing stages of the game by Youssef El Fahli secured maximum points for the hosts.
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