Boukarchaoui Billel of CR Belouizdad challenges Mohamed Mohamed Shehata Mahmoud of Zamalek SC during the CAF Confederation Cup 2025/26 2nd leg Semifinal match between Zamalek and CR Belouizdad at Cairo International Stadium in Egypt on 17 April 2026 ©Djaffar Ladjal/BackpagePix
Friday Apr 17, 2026. 20:49
Zamalek moved a step closer to claiming their third CAF Confederation Cup title after they beat CR Belouizdad 1-0 on aggregate in the semi-finals following a 0-0 draw at the Cairo International Stadium on Friday, April 17.
The White Knights scored the all-important away goal through Juan Alvina in the first leg last weekend and they denied the Reds a way back into the tie to reach the final for the third time in eight years.
Moatemed Gamal’s side had kept three clean sheets on home soil in the competition this season, conceding just two goals in the process and they knew another shutout would see them through to the finale.
The hosts created the better chances in the first half and they had the ball in the back of the net on 26 minutes after Oday Dabbagh headed home Ahmed Fatouh’s free-kick.
However, a VAR review revealed that Dabbagh had strayed offside and the goal was ruled out to give Reds a lifeline.
Dabbagh then looked to turn provider in the closing stages of the first half as he found Mohamed Ismail inside the box following a weak punch from Farid Chaal, who recovered well to deflect the shot out of play.
The visitors finally began to threaten in the second half and Hossam Abdelmaguid was well placed to clear the danger after El Mahdy Soliman came off his line to close down the angle but was beaten by a shot inside the area.
Soliman did manage to make a crucial save in the 80th minute after Lofti Boussouar advanced into the box and got off a shot that was blocked by the goalkeeper.
Zamalek (0) 0
CR Belouizdad (0) 0
Zamalek: E. Soliman, O. Gaber (M. Ebrahim 77′), M. Ismail, H. Abdelmaguid, M. Bentayg, M. Shehata, A. Fatouh (A. Rabie 83′), O. Dabbagh, A. El Said (A. Kaied 77′), J. Alvina (C. Banza 83′), N. Mansi (H. Hamdy 90+3′).
CR Belouizdad: F. Chaal, H. Benayada, Y. Laouafi, Y. Ouassa, N. Khacef, A. Meziane, S. Boukhanchouche, A. Benguit, A. Belhocini (L. Boussouar 62′), M. Ben Hammouda, B. Boukerchaoui (M. Belkhir 80′).