Zamalek players celebrates victory during the CAF Confederation Cup 2025/26 1st leg Semifinal match between CR Belouizdad and Zamalek at Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers , Algeria on 10 April 2026 ©Djaffar Ladjal/BackpagePix
Friday Apr 17, 2026. 13:01
Both CAF Confederation Cup semi-final ties are delicately poised, although two-time winners Zamalek have a slight edge in their match-up.
Zamalek host CR Belouizdad in the second leg at the Cairo International Stadium on Friday with an away goal in their back pocket.
Juan Alvina’s 28th-minute goal in Algiers last weekend secured a narrow 1-0 win for the White Knights, who have only conceded twice at home in four matches since the group stages.
The Reds are quite capable of scoring on their travels though, after finding the back of the net six times, the same number they managed in their own backyard.
Then on Sunday, Olympic Safi will be looking to keep their dream run going when they welcome USM Alger to the El Massira Stadium.
The Sharks have been the surprise package on their debut, pushing USMA all the way in Group A before finishing one point behind them in second place. They caused a major upset in the quarter-finals by knocking out Wydad Casablanca on away goals following a 3-3 draw on aggregate.
Chokri Khatoui’s side held the Algiers outfit to a goalless draw in the first leg, although their only loss (1-0) this term came against the same opposition in Safi on November 28.
USM Alger are still unbeaten in the competition proper and have only let in two goals on home soil, both against San Pedro in a 3-2 victory on November 23. They also overcame Maniema Union on away goals in the last eight following a 2-2 draw on aggregate.
CAF Confederation Cup semi-final second-leg fixtures:
Friday, April 17
18h00: Zamalek v CR Belouizdad
Sunday, April 19
21h00: Olympic Safi v USM Alger