Three Arab clubs continue their quest for the title of the African Confederation Cup, with Egypt's Zamalek, Algeria's defending champion CR Belouizdad, and Morocco's RS Berkane qualifying for the semi-finals, along with Ghana's Dreams FC. The first leg of the semi-finals will take place on April 21, when Zamalek faces Dreams, while the North African clash will see CR Belouizdad take on Berkane.
Zamalek, aiming for their second title in the competition since 2019, progressed despite a 1-1 draw at home against fellow Egyptian club Future Modern, thanks to a 2-1 win in the first leg. The team, coached by Portuguese José Gomes, pressed from the start, creating several opportunities, but Future capitalized on a mistake by Zamalek goalkeeper Mohamed Awad, when Cameroonian Joseph Nguim scored directly from a corner kick (18').
Zamalek kept the pressure and controlled the match, but Tunisian Saifedin Jaziri missed a chance to equalize (20'). Mustafa Shalaby nearly leveled the score but was denied by Future’s goalkeeper Mahmoud Hamdi (36'). In stoppage time of the first half, defender Ahmed Atef cleared a shot from Zamalek's Hossam Abdel-Majid off the line (45+2').
The attacking momentum continued into the second half, culminating in a goal by Ahmed Hamdi, who netted a deceptive shot from inside the box (66'). Hamdi stated in post-match interviews: "We were late to adapt to the game after their goal came against the run of play, but we managed to bounce back," adding, "I cherish my first goal with Zamalek, and I hope it’s a springboard to the final and the title".
Future Modern's head coach Tamer Mustafa criticized the away goals rule and suggested that the African Football Confederation needs to revisit its regulations, potentially modeling them after European standards.
Dreams FC advanced after a 1-1 draw at home against Mali’s Stade Malien, benefiting from a 2-1 victory in the first leg. Stade Malien took the lead through Euro Diaby (60'), but Dreams equalized with a goal from Sylvester Simba (70').
CR Belouizdad continued their title defense after overcoming a 0-1 first-leg loss to Rivers United, winning 2-1 in the second leg, with Mali’s Abdoulaye Kano scoring both goals. The "Soustara" team demonstrated a strong performance, taking 12 shots on target out of 24 attempts against the Nigerian goal.
Kano opened the scoring following a coordinated attack, receiving a cross from Nabil Laarabi (37'). The capital team increased pressure in the second half, doubling their lead when Cameroonian Lionel Atiaba headed the ball to the poised Kano, who scored again (74').
Berkane's Issoufou Daio dramatically secured a spot in the semi-finals against Abu Sleem from Libya with a winning goal (3-2) scored deep in injury time, after the first leg ended in a goalless draw. The 2020 and 2022 champions will face CR Belouizdad.
The home team, backed by a large crowd, dominated the match, threatening the Libyan goal, but goalkeeper Moaz Al-Mansouri made impressive saves, especially towards the end of the first half (42'). Abu Sleem took the lead early in the second half with a header from Hossam Al-Abani (47').
Al-Mansouri again saved his team from an equalizer (58') before substitute Senegalese player Paul Bassein scored for Berkane with a powerful shot that deflected off the right post (68'). Four minutes later, Adel Tahif put Berkane ahead after converting a cross from Reda Haji (72').
Despite continued pressure, Abu Sleem managed to score from Abdul-Monim Al-Ayan (83'), prompting determined defensive efforts. A goal by Youssef Al-Fahli was disallowed for offside after VAR review (90+10'), but Daio clinched qualification with a header in injury time following a cross from Youssef Azgoudi (90+15'). Referee sent off Berkane’s Omar Al-Arjun (from the bench) and Abu Sleem’s Al-Abani.
