CAIRO — Egypt’s continental charge gathered momentum as Zamalek SC and Al-Masry of Port Said delivered decisive final-day performances to book their places in the knockout stages of the CAF Confederation Cup.
Zamalek stamped their authority on Group D, finishing top with 11 points after a hard-fought victory over Kaizer Chiefs. Meanwhile, Al-Masry rose to the occasion with a crucial win against ZESCO United, securing second spot on 10 points.
Level on points with Kaizer Chiefs, the Port Said outfit advanced on goal difference, underlining their composure under pressure and ensuring Egypt sends two formidable contenders into the quarter-finals.
Zamalek 2–1 Kaizer
At the Suez Canal Authority Stadium, Zamalek delivered when it mattered most. The White Knights struck a balance between patience and precision to secure a 2–1 triumph and confirm their status as Group D leaders.
The hosts signaled intent early. Forward Ahmed Sherif squandered the first clear opening in the 14th minute after a clever assist from Palestinian forward Oday El-Dabbagh, firing narrowly wide.
El-Dabbagh himself tested the goalkeeper with a fierce long-range drive in the 26th minute, forcing a fingertip save, and later missed a golden opportunity in first-half stoppage time.
The breakthrough arrived after the interval. Zamalek’s head coach Motamed Gamal reshuffled his attack, introducing playmaker Abdallah El-Said — a move that shifted the momentum. In the 53rd minute, Brazilian winger Juan Alvina rose highest to meet striker’s Nasser Mansi inviting cross, powering home a clinical header.
Zamalek doubled their lead in the 72nd minute when El-Said crowned his influential cameo with a composed finish. Though Kaizer Chiefs pulled one back three minutes later to set up a tense finale, the Egyptian giants stood firm to secure all three points — and top spot.
Zamalek general coach Ibrahim Salah cut a satisfied figure after his side sealed passage to the quarter-finals, hailing both the result and the resilience shown under pressure.
Speaking in the aftermath of the victory, Salah acknowledged the challenging backdrop to the performance, pointing to a string of absences and a congested fixture list that has tested the squad’s depth and endurance. Despite those hurdles, he stressed that the team rose to the occasion and delivered exactly what was required.
The coach also reserved special praise for the supporters, crediting their unwavering backing as a driving force behind the team’s push for qualification. He emphasised that the squad remains fully focused on sustaining momentum as the competition intensifies.
“Zamalek is ready to face any opponent,” Salah asserted confidently, adding that the return of missing players will further strengthen the side and elevate performances in the decisive stages ahead.
Al-Masry 2–0 ZESCO
Across town at Suez Stadium, Al-Masry produced a mature, controlled display to defeat ZESCO United 2–0 and punch their ticket to the knockout stage.
The Port Said outfit dominated possession from the outset, carving out several promising openings but lacking the final touch in a goalless first half. ZESCO threatened sporadically on the counter, yet rarely troubled the Egyptian backline.
The breakthrough finally came in the 63rd minute when forward Karim Bambo broke the deadlock with a well-taken strike. Momentum swung decisively in Al-Masry’s favour, and striker Salah Mohsen sealed the result with a second goal, sending the home fans into celebration.
With 10 points, Al-Masry secured qualification on goal difference over Kaizer Chiefs, ensuring Egypt places two clubs in the quarter-final draw.
