CAF Confederation Cup: Rivers United Out As Zamalek, Dream FC, USM Algers, RSB Berkane Into Semi-Finals

IT will be an all-North African affair between USM Algers, the defending champions and RSB Berkane of Morocco in the semi-finals of the CAF Confederation Cup.

A goal in each half by Abdoulaye Kanou gave USM Algers a 2-0 win over Rivers United of Nigeria and it was enough for the Algerians to progress 2-1 on aggregate. The first of the brace came in the 37th minute while the second came 74th minute.

On the other hand, RSB Berkane beat Abu Salim 3-2 to reach the semi-finals.

Egyptian heavyweight Zamalek secured a spot in the semi-finals after playing to a 1-1 draw against fellow Egyptians Modern Future FC in the second leg at Cairo Stadium on Sunday.

With a 2-1 away victory in the first leg last week, the White Knights advanced with a 3-2 aggregate score.

In the semi-finals, Zamalek will face Ghanaian side Dreams, who earned their spot after a 3-2 aggregate win over Stade Malien.

Cameroonian fullback Jonathan Ngwem opened the scoring for Modern Future FC in the 18th minute, while Zamalek midfielder Ahmed Hamdi equalized six minutes past the hour mark.

Zamalek started the match at a slow pace, likely due to their advantage from the first leg, but were caught off guard by a goal resulting from a goalkeeper error, allowing Ngwem to score from a corner.

Despite conceding, Zamalek failed to mount a significant threat against the visitors, who were also unable to trouble their opponents.

The second half proved uneventful, with both teams failing to impress on the pitch, despite interventions from both coaches.

Zamalek’s winter signing, Ahmed Hamdi, scored his first goal for the team with an impressive solo effort, confirming his side’s qualification for the next round.

Zamalek will host the Ghanaian side Dream FC on Sunday, April 21 in the semi-finals, with the second leg taking place in Ghana one week later.

Dream FC stops Stade Malien de Bamako of Mali 3-2 on aggregate to advance into the last four. Dream FC drew 1-1 with Stade Malien over the weekend, have won the first leg 2-1.

Here are all the results:

Dreams 1-1 Stade Malien Bamako (2-1)

Scorers: Simba 70 / Diaby 60

Zamalek 1-1 Modern Future (2-1)

Scorers: Ahmed Hamdi 66 / Jonathan Ngwem 18

USM Alger 2-0 Rivers United (0-1)

Scorers: Kanou 37, 74

RSB Berkane 3-2 Abu Salim (0-0)

Scorers: Bassene 68, Tahif 72, Dayo 90+15 / Alabani 47, Aleiyan 83