JOHANNESBURG – Egyptian side Pyramids FC became the first team to book a quarter-final ticket in the 2021-22 CAF Confederation Cup as Al-Masry of Port Said claimed a precious win over AS Otoho d’Oyo to move back top of Group C.
Pyramids book quarter-final ticket
Egyptian side Pyramids FC became the first team to book a quarter-final ticket despite picking a point in a 1-1 draw against CS Sfaxien in Tunis in Group A on Sunday.
The point takes the 2019-20 finallists to 10 points, six ahead of third placed Sfaxien with two matches to go.
Pyramids have qualification guaranteed as they edge out Sfaxien on head to head record.
Sfaxien meanwhile still harbor hopes of progressing out of the group stages for the first time since they won the title in 2013 as they have a chance of finishing second.
They are on four points and will battle for that lone slot with Libya’s Al-Ahly Tripoli who is on nine points currently.
Against Pyramids in Tunis Sunday night, Firas Chaouat grabbed a point for the home side after Walid el-Karti had struck Pyramids ahead a minute to half-time.
The Egyptian side started off on a high and had a glorious opportunity 18 minutes in when Ramadan Sobhi’s superb pass found the run of Ahmed Fathy at the back post but the veteran defender could not hit the ball on target.
Pyramids continued pushing and finally got their goal in the 44th minute when El-Karti struck a well weighted shot from the edge of the box.
The home side came alive in the second-half and eight minutes in had the equalizer, Chaouat glancing home a header after being picked out by a pin point cross from Mahmoud Ghorbel.
The goal put Sfaxien alive and they pushed hard, but twice, were almost caught out on the counter.
The closest was in the 84th minute when Pyramids substitute Mahmoud Wadi cut back the ball for Fakhreddine Ben Youssef, but his shot was deflected wide for a corner.
None of the two sides could add on to the tally as they shared spoils, leaving everything to play for in the final two matches.
Al-Masry strikes late to beat Otoho
Hassan Ali’s brilliant strike seven minutes from time handed Al-Masry of Port Said a precious 1-0 victory over AS Otoho d’Oyo at the Al-Masry Club Stadium in Port Said as the Egyptian side moved back top of Group C.
The win at home helped Masry dislodge TP Mazembe from top spot, the Congolese side having earlier drawn 2-2 with Cotonsport in Garoua. Both sides have seven points.
The group remains open with two rounds of matches left with Otoho third on four points while Cotonsport are bottom with three points.
Otoho came into the tie knowing that a victory would place them at a brilliant position to battle for a place in the quarter finals and pressed Al-Masry, searching for an opening goal to inject some confidence in their play.
But, the opening half did not yield goals.
Both sides stepped up in the second half and it was Al-Masry who had the most chances. In the 54th minute, Elyes Jelassi forced the Otoho keeper to a full stretched save from a freekick.
Seven minutes later, Amr Marei also had a chance when he controlled a cross inside the box but his shot flew over the bar.
Otoho managed to conjure a chance in the 71st minute when Michel Mvondo picked the ball inside the box, but he took a heavy second touch forcing him to hit the side netting from a tight angle.
Masry were playing the high line and pressing Otoho and they almost scored in the 73rd minute with Austin Amutu’s first touch of the ball, but his header went over.
They however snatched the winner in the 83rd minute when Hassan brilliantly struck the ball on the half volley after picking up a cross from El-Eraki’s good work on the right.
Masry calmly controlled the tempo of the game to preserve the lead and earn the points.
Asec Mimosas keeps hopes alive
A Karim Konate double was enough for Ivorian side Asec Mimosas as they beat Niger’s Union Sportive Gendarmerie Nationale (USGN) 2-1 at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan to keep quarter-final hopes alive.
The victory at home lifted Asec to second spot in Group D over RS Berkane, who earlier in the day lost 1-0 to leaders Simba SC. Both Asec and Berkane are on six points.
With two rounds of matches left, all four teams have chances to make the last eight. USGN are bottom with four points, and could still battle for a quarter final slot if they win their remaining games.
Seventeen year old Konate was sensational and he got his side into the lead after just four minutes when he converted from the penalty spot.
Asec, pushed on by the home fans, continued piling the pressure and the teenager struck them ahead in the 33rd minute when he finished off a pass from Anicet Alain Oura.
In the second half, the Nigerien outfit returned stronger as they sought a way back, as they knew even a point would be vital for their hopes.
They halved the deficit three minutes after the restart when Victorien Adebayor converted from the penalty spot. The early goal was a boost to their drive, but they couldn’t complete the comeback with Asec holding on for the dear win.
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