Egyptian side Zamalek secured a narrow but valuable 1-0 victory away to Algeria’s CR Belouizdad in the first leg of their CAF Confederation Cup semi-final on Friday, taking a slender advantage back to Cairo.
Juan Alvina’s first-half strike proved decisive in a tightly contested encounter, with the visitors demonstrating defensive resilience to preserve their lead ahead of the return leg.
Zamalek, who progressed to the last four after overcoming AS Otoho d’Oyo in the quarter-finals, travelled to Algiers looking to seize early control of the tie.
Their approach paid off midway through the first half when Alvina found the breakthrough in the 28th minute, finishing clinically to silence the home crowd.
The Egyptian club, among the most decorated sides in African football, then shifted focus to maintaining their advantage against a Belouizdad side enjoying a strong continental campaign. The Algerians reached the semi-finals for the first time in decades after edging past Al Masry on away goals in the previous round.
Belouizdad responded with greater urgency after the interval and believed they had drawn level in the 68th minute when Belhocini found the net. However, their celebrations were cut short following a VAR review, which ruled out the goal, leaving the hosts frustrated and still trailing.
Despite late pressure from the home side, Zamalek held firm, showcasing their experience in continental competition. Their defensive organisation and game management ensured they left Algeria with a crucial away win and, perhaps more importantly, a clean sheet.
The result gives Zamalek a slight edge heading into the second leg, scheduled to take place in Cairo on 17 April. The two-legged semi-final ties are being played across April, with the winners advancing to the final of Africa’s secondary club competition in May.
Elsewhere in the competition, the semi-final line-up also features USM Alger and Morocco’s Olympique de Safi, underlining the strong North African presence in this year’s tournament.
For Zamalek, the victory continues a determined push for continental success after reaching this stage through a series of hard-fought performances. Their ability to secure an away win could prove decisive, but with only a one-goal cushion, the tie remains finely balanced.
Belouizdad, meanwhile, will take encouragement from their second-half display and will believe they can still overturn the deficit in Cairo. Having already ended a long wait to reach the semi-finals, the Algerian side remain firmly in contention.
The return leg promises a tense conclusion, with a place in the Confederation Cup final at stake.
