CAIRO — Egyptian duo Al-Masry and Zamalek secured quarter-finals spots in CAF Confederation League.
The tournament’s knockout phase structure ensures home advantage will be crucial, with group winners hosting the decisive second legs. The semi-finals are scheduled for April 20 and 27, with the two-legged final set for May 17 and 25.
A masterclass performance from Tunisian striker Fakhreddine Ben Youssef secured Egyptian side Al-Masry’s place in the quarter-finals with a commanding 3-1 victory over Mozambique’s Black Bulls.
At Alexandria’s Borg el-Arab Stadium, the striker’s clinical hat-trick proved decisive as Al-Masry finished second in Group D with nine points, leaving their Mozambican opponents rooted to the bottom of the standings.
Ben Youssef opened the scoring in the 22nd minute before doubling his tally just before half-time, giving the hosts a comfortable cushion at the interval.
He completed his treble shortly after the restart, effectively settling the contest by the 47th minute.
Black Bulls showed brief resistance when R. Akproh pulled one back in the 57th minute, but it proved merely a consolation as Al-Masry controlled proceedings to secure their knockout stage berth.
In other group’s significant fixture, holders Zamalek underlined their credentials with an impressive 3-1 triumph over Nigerian giants Enyimba, cementing top spot with 14 points.
At Cairo International Stadium, the Cairo-based club demonstrated their title ambitions through goals from veteran midfielder Shikabala, who broke the deadlock in the 29th minute, before Seifeddine Jaziri’s second-half double (48′, 57′) put the result beyond doubt.
Ihemekwele’s 63rd-minute response for Enyimba briefly threatened to spark a comeback, but The White Knights’ experienced squad managed the game’s closing stages professionally to secure their position as group winners.
The results mean both Egyptian clubs advance to the quarter-finals with momentum, suggesting the nation’s dominance in African club competitions could continue into the knockout phases.
For Black Bulls and Enyimba, elimination marks the end of their continental campaigns, with both clubs now forced to reflect on what might have been as they turn their attention to domestic matters.
Tanzania’s Simba SC emerged as Group A winners, with Algeria’s CS Constantine securing second place.
Morocco’s Renaissance Berkane, previous winners of the competition, topped Group B ahead of South African debutants Stellenbosch.
USM Alger’s dominant Group C campaign saw them accumulate 14 points, while ASEC Mimosas of Cote d’Ivoire dramatically claimed the final quarter-final berth with a convincing victory on the last day.
The quarter-final draw will prevent teams from the same group meeting, meaning Egyptian rivals Zamalek and Al-Masry cannot face each other until at least the semi-finals.
Zamalek will face one of CS Constantine, Stellenbosch, or ASEC Mimosas, while Al-Masry could meet Simba, Berkane, or USM Alger.
The presence of former champions Zamalek and Berkane, alongside ambitious clubs like Simba and USM Alger, suggests an intriguing battle lies ahead for Africa’s second-tier club crown.
Mamelodi Sundowns, meanwhile, secured the final CAF Champions League quarter-final spot despite a late equaliser from AS FAR in a tense 1-1 draw at a packed Loftus Stadium.
The South African giants needed just a point to progress from Group B, and Peter Shalulile’s early strike seemed to have set them on their way before Amine Zouhzouh’s 83rd-minute leveller ensured a nervous finale.
Shalulile struck in the 12th minute, capitalizing on excellent work from Riveiro to give the hosts a dream start. The Namibian’s composed finish reflected Sundowns’ early dominance as they sought to secure their knockout stage berth.
But FAR, already qualified and determined to maintain their grip on top spot, emerged for the second-half with renewed purpose.
Their persistence finally paid off when Zouhzouh, following smart play from Youssef El Fahli, silenced the home crowd with just seven minutes remaining.
The late equaliser set up a tense finish, with Sundowns knowing Raja Casablanca could still pip them to qualification. However, the ‘Brazilians’ held firm to secure the point needed to finish second in the group with nine points, behind FAR.
In the group’s other fixture, Raja’s 1-0 victory over 10-man Maniema Union – secured through Ennafatti’s penalty deep in first-half stoppage time – proved insufficient to overtake Sundowns. Maniema’s task was made harder by Simete’s 41st-minute dismissal.
The result means Sundowns join continental heavyweights including record champions Al-Ahly, Tunisia’s Esperance, and Sudan’s Al-Hilal in the quarter-finals, keeping alive their dreams of a second Champions League crown.
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