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A late goal from Nigerian forward John Okoye helped Al Masry secure a crucial 2-0 victory over Simba SC in the first leg of their CAF Confederation Cup quarter-final on Wednesday.
Okoye’s 89th-minute goal in Suez initially appeared to be offside, but VAR overturned the decision, allowing the goal to stand. The substitute found himself in the right place at the right time when Guinean goalkeeper Moussa Camara attempted to clear a cross, only for the ball to rebound off Okoye and into the net.
Despite Simba’s dominance in the second half, particularly through Congolese winger Elie Mpanzu, the Tanzanian club struggled with finishing. They also had a strong penalty appeal waved away after Cameroonian Leonel Ateba was seemingly fouled by Masry goalkeeper Mahmoud Gad.
Al Masry had taken the lead in the 16th minute through Algerian midfielder Abderrahim Deghmoum, whose long-range strike bounced awkwardly before beating Camara. The Egyptian side is now one step closer to their second-ever semi-final appearance, having last reached this stage in 2018.
If they can hold onto their advantage in the return leg in Tanzania on April 9, Al Masry could set up an all-Egyptian semi-final clash against defending champions Zamalek. Zamalek, aiming for a record-equalling third Confederation Cup title, were held to a goalless draw by South African side Stellenbosch in a lacklustre encounter in Cape Town.
Elsewhere, Moroccan side Renaissance Berkane secured a 1-0 away win over ASEC Mimosas in Abidjan, with substitute Imad Riahi scoring the decisive goal in the 75th minute. ASEC finished the match with ten men after David Koffi was sent off. Meanwhile, an all-Algerian clash between USM Alger and CS Constantine ended in a 1-1 draw, with Kevin Mondeko equalising for USM before Salim Boukhanchouche received a red card.
