Al Ahly have become the first team to secure safe passage into the quarterfinals of the Champions League, following a busy Saturday of CAF inter-club action which saw five matches played across the African continent.
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Al Ahly – 12-time winners of the Champions League – were held 0-0 by JS Kabylie in a clash in Tizi Ouzou in the late evening.
However, the stalemate – combined with ASFAR’s 1-0 win over Young Africans in a concurrent match in Rabat – was enough to see the Red Castle guarantee a top-two finish in Group A.
ASFAR are just a point behind Ahly in second place thanks to their win over Yanga, secured by a late strike from Anas Bach, and look well positioned to join the Egyptian heavyweights in advancing into the final eight.
Following Friday’s key 2-1 win for MC Alger over Al Hilal, which opened up Group C in the Champions League (MCA cut Hilal’s lead to just one point), Saturday’s action in the premier competition began in Ndola with Power Dynamos claiming a 2-0 home triumph over RS Berkane.
Ronel Manyanga and Prince Mumba scored early and late in the second half respectively as the Zambian side boosted their hopes of advancing to the quarterfinals, drawing level on seven points with RSB in second place.
In the only early-evening match in the Champions League, Petro de Luanda were held 1-1 in the Angolan capital by 10-man Simba SC.
The hosts took an early lead via Pedro Pinto and were in full control when the Tanzanian side had Shomari Kapombe sent off for a second bookable offence shortly before halftime.
However, Simba struck back via Anicet Oura with under 10 minutes of regulation time to play and held out for a share of the spoils.
The result was a blow to Petro’s hopes of progression, denying them the chance to move ahead of second-placed Esperance ahead of the Tunisian heavyweight’s clash away to Group D leaders Stade Malien on Sunday.
The lone Confederation Cup game played on Saturday produced a 1-0 win home win for Azam FC against AS Maniema Union in Zanzibar City.
The Tanzanian side joined Wydad Casablanca and Union in a three-way tie on nine points at the top of Group B, thanks to Sadio Kanoute’s goal midway through the first half.
The Champions League action continues on Sunday with three matches, headlined by St Eloi Lupopo hosting Mamelodi Sundowns, while the CAF Confederation Cup features seven Matchday 5 clashes.
CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE RESULTS
Power Dynamos 2-0 RS Berkane
Petro de Luanda 1-1 Simba SC
ASFAR 1-0 Young Africans
JS Kabylie 0-0 Al Ahly
CAF Champions League results, Saturday 7 February
Azam FC 1-0 AS Maniema