Zamalek of Egypt moved closer to a record-equalling third Caf Confederation Cup title despite being held 0-0 at home by Chabab Belouizdad of Algeria on Friday in a semifinal second leg.
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The Cairo-based White Knights won the tie 1-0 on aggregate and will meet another Algerian club, 2023 title-holders USM Alger, or African debutants Olympique Safi of Morocco in the two-leg final.
Safi, who shocked fellow Moroccans Wydad Casablanca in the quarterfinals, host USM on Sunday after a goalless first leg in Algeria last weekend.
Zamalek won the African equivalent of the Uefa Europa League in 2019 and 2024, edging Renaissance Berkane of Morocco on both occasions, first after a penalty shootout, then on away goals.
If the Egyptians go on to lift the trophy again and pocket the record four-million-dollar first prize, they will match the record of CS Sfaxien of Tunisia, winners in 2007, 2008 and 2013.
The second leg of the semifinal in front of a near-capacity crowd in the 75 000-seater Cairo International Stadium was a typically cagey North African affair dominated by defences.
Belouizdad had more possession in each half and won the corner count 5-1, but Zamalek had all but one of the six shots on target.
Zamalek had the ball in the net midway through the first half, but an Oday Dabbagh far-post header into the opposite corner of the net off an Ahmed Fatouh free-kick was ruled marginally offside.
The home side, whose 13 Caf titles are bettered only by the 25 of Cairo neighbours Al Ahly, went close to breaking the deadlock soon after with a low Mohamed Ismail shot just off target.
Belouizdad goalkeeper Farid Chaal used his left arm to good effect early in the second half to block a close-range shot from Palestine international Dabbagh.
It took the Algiers outfit 82 minutes to get their lone shot on target – a close-range effort from substitute Lofti Boussouar that goalkeeper Mahdi Soliman parried.
Safi or USM will stage the first leg of the final on 9 May. The return match is set for Cairo on 16 May.