Egyptian giants Pyramids were held to a goalless stalemate by DR Congo’s TP Mazembe in their CAF Confederation Cup quarterfinal fixture at the Cairo Military Stadium on Sunday 17 April 2022.
TP Mazembe goalkeeper Baggio Saidi was outstanding as he forced three saves in both halves to deny the hosts.
Saidi thwarted wing-back Omar Gaber when he was well-positioned to score following an exchange of passes with South African striker Fagrie Lakay, before calmly saving from Blati Toure one-on-one in the 39th minute and brilliantly denied Ibrahim Adel seven minutes before time.
The visitors’ best chance fell to Christian Kouame in the 56th minute but his effort was blocked by Pyramids defence for unfruitful corner.
Ernest Luzolo almost won it late for Mazembe, but Sherif Ekramay pulled off a fine save to keep his side in the tie ahead of the reverse fixture in Lumbubashi.
Elsewhere in Alexandria, Egypt’s Al Masry battled with nine-men to beat Morocco’s RS Berkane 2-1at Borg El-Arab Stadium.
Masry opened the scoring early through Amr Marey before being quickly pegged back by Hamza Regraui.
The Egyptians were dealt a huge blow when in the second half when Amr Moussa and Tunisian midfielder Elyes Jelassi received straight red cards following VAR reviews.
But the 2019/2020 Champions failed to take advantage and were stunned with eight minutes remaining when Layouni curled a wonderful, long-range free-kick over the wall for the winner.
At Martyrs of February Stadium, Al Ittihad Tripoli were held to a barren draw by Al Ahli Tripoli, in a game they dominated and had chances to score.
Al Ittihad registered their first shot on target in the 22nd minute but Muhammad Nashnoush- whose inclusion in the first team has continued to raise eyebrows, did well to pull off a save and deny Fred Ngoma
Muad Eisay almost registered an opener in the 49th minute, but his effort flew wide by the inches. Motasem Sabbou took a short corner for Omar Al Khouja, and the defender delivered a pinpoint aerial pass to Eisay, who rose slightly higher to head the ball while unmarked.
Al Ahli came closeto breaking the deadlock in the 72nd minute when Anis Saltou attempted to find the top corner from close range, but his shot missed the target slightly.
The CAF Confederation quarterfinal return-leg matches will be played next Sunday, 24 April.
