Zamalek And Al Ahly Reach African Champions League Semis

Egyptian giants Zamalek and Al Ahly were among the teams to reach African Champions League semi-finals after both emerged victorious from thrilling two-legged quarter-finals.

Zamalek survived a 1-0 second-leg loss to prevail 3-2 against Esperance de Tunis, while Al Ahly saw off Mamelodi Sundowns on a 3-1 aggregate cross the two meetings.

Defending champions Esperance were keen to overturn the deficit from the first-leg encounter which was played in Cairo.

They got off to the perfect start as they broke the deadlock just five minutes into the match through Billel Bensaha and from that point Zamalek defended in numbers.

Esperance nearly scored their second goal deep in the second stanza with their Libyan winger Hamdou Elhouni cutting inside a couple of defenders but his shot was saved by keeper Mohamed Abou-Gabal.

After the match, Zamalek coach Patrice Carteron spoke delightfully for sneaking into the last four.

“We suffered a lot because we were always under pressure…it was not the plan not to go forward but the small details were still in our favour,” the Frenchman said.

“We need to be more efficient but I’m very proud of what we achieved. We fulfilled our objective to qualify and that was the most important thing, “he added.

Al Ahly, meanwhile, had been 3-1 going into their away leg against Sundowns, but an own goal courtesy of Lebohang Maboe in 21^st minute ensured they unsettled their opposition minds.

However, Gaston Sirino levelled matters for the Brazilians six minutes later with a simple tap-in after Zwane had his initial effort palmed by the White Knights goalkeeper El-Shenawy.

Sundowns had the Red Devils pinned into their own half most of the second stanza but failed to get the three unanswered goals that they needed to progress.