CAF Inter club: Pyramids, Al Ahly Eliminated As ASFAR And Esperance Progress

CAF Inter club: Pyramids, Al Ahly Eliminated As ASFAR And Esperance Progress

By Niyi Busari 

Saturday’s CAF interclub fixtures delivered major upsets, as defending champions Pyramids FC were knocked out of the CAF Champions League, while record holders Al Ahly also exited the competition, BSNSports.com.ng reports. 

Meanwhile, CR Belouizdad secured a place in the Confederation Cup semifinals.

Pyramids, who lifted their maiden Champions League title last season, saw their title defence come to an abrupt end after a 2-1 home defeat to Morocco’s ASFAR at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo. The Moroccan side advanced 3-2 on aggregate following a disciplined and clinical performance.

ASFAR stunned the hosts early, with Reda Slim opening the scoring in the ninth minute before Mohamed Rabie Hrimat doubled the advantage shortly after halftime. Fiston Mayele pulled one back for Pyramids in the 63rd minute, but the Egyptian side were unable to complete a comeback as ASFAR held firm to book a semifinal berth.

Elsewhere in Cairo, Al Ahly’s quest for a 13th continental crown ended in disappointment as they fell 4-2 on aggregate to Tunisia’s Esperance de Tunis. Trailing from the first leg, Al Ahly started brightly, with Mahmoud Trezeguet levelling the tie early in the second leg.

However, Esperance seized control in the second half through goals from Florian Danho and Mohamed Amine Tougai, the latter converting from the penalty spot. An own goal by Hamza Jelassi briefly restored hope for Al Ahly, but Jelassi redeemed himself deep into stoppage time by scoring the decisive goal to confirm Esperance’s progression.

In the CAF Confederation Cup, CR Belouizdad became the first team to reach the semifinals after holding Egypt’s Al Masry to a goalless draw in Algiers. The Algerian side advanced on away goals following a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Suez.

The remaining quarterfinal fixtures in both competitions are scheduled to conclude on Sunday, 22 March.