Saturday’s CAF inter-club competition action saw Esperance de Tunis, Al Hilal, Mamelodi Sundowns and RS Berkane advance in the Champions League, while the Confederation Cup was headlined by a double Egyptian success for Zamalek and Al Masry – squeezing out South Africa’s Kaizer Chiefs.
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Nine Matchday 6 fixtures took place across the continent, bringing three CAFCL groups and one CAFCC group to a close.
In the afternoon’s Champions League action, Al Hilal and Mamelodi Sundowns secured progression from Group C. Hilal claimed top spot with a 1-0 win over St Eloi Lupopo in Kigali, with Steven Ebuela striking midway through the first half, while Sundowns finished two points behind the Sudanese in second spot thanks to a 2-0 triumph over MC Alger in Pretoria. Colombian Brayan Leon netted a brace of goals to see the South African club through to the quarters for the eighth successive season.
The early evening slot then featured Esperance de Tunis join Stade Malien in advancing from Group D. Malien finished top of the standings despite a 1-0 loss away to Simba SC (with the Tanzanian side scoring early via Anicet Oura), while the Blood and Gold secured second spot by defeating Petro de Luanda 2-0 in Tunis – second-half goals from Aboubacar Diakite and Jack Diarra powered the North Africans into the next phase.
In the night games from Group A, RS Berkane ensured that they joined reigning champions and already-qualified Pyramids FC in the next phase with a thumping 3-0 home win over Rivers United – with goals from Youssef Mehri and Paul Bassene (two).
Pyramids rounded out an unbeaten group stage (and helped smooth the path for Berkane) with a concurrent 3-1 win over Power Dynamos in Cairo. The hosts led through Mustafa Ziko before being pegged back by Fredrick Mulambia, only for Youssef Obama and Ewerton to strike in favour of the North African team.
In the Confederation Cup, Egyptian sides Zamalek and Al Masry finished first and second respectively in Group D. The White Knight defeated Kaizer Chiefs 2-1 in Suez – with second-half goals from Juan Alvina and Abdellah El Said – which secured top spot and was also a big favour for their compatriot club. Masry took full advantage in a concurrent game by defeating Zesco United 2-0, thanks to strikes from Karim Bambo and Salah Mohsen. This was enough to see them finish ahead of Chiefs on goal difference.
Also in the Confed Cup, USM Alger and Olympic Safi – already qualified as the top two from Group A – met in Algiers in a night match. Their 0-0 draw saw USMA retain their place at the head of the standings, with 14 points to Safi’s 13.
The group phase in both the Champions League and Confederation Cup will be completed with seven matches across the continent on Sunday.
CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE RESULTS, SATURDAY 14 FEBRUARY
Al Hilal 1-0 St Eloi Lupopo
Mamelodi Sundowns 2-0 MC Alger
Esperance de Tunis 2-0 Petro de Luanda
Simba SC 1-0 Stade Malien
RS Berkane 3-0 Rivers United
Pyramids FC 3-1 Power Dynamos
CAF CONFEDERATION CUP RESULTS, SATURDAY 14 FEBRUARY
Al Masry 2-0 Zesco United
Zamalek 2-1 Kaizer Chiefs
USM Alger 0-0 Olympique de Safi