CAFCC: Al Masry edge hosts ZESCO United in five-goal thriller

Zambia’s ZESCO United suffered a 3-2 home loss to Al Masry in Ndola on Friday to remain winless in the 2025-2026 CAF Confederation Cup (CAFCC) group-stage.

The MTN Super League side marched onto Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in the mining town of Ndola desperate to make amends for their 1-0 away loss to Zamalek in the opening contest of Group D last Friday. In contrast, Al Masry sought to build on their 2-1 defeat of Kaizer Chiefs on Sunday.

From the first whistle, it was clear that Al Masry had come with an offensive mindset of taking the game to Team Yaziko, as ZESCO United are also called.

Little wonder, the visitors needed barely three minutes into the game to stun the home crowd as veteran defender Mohamed Hashem scored with a fine effort, beating ZESCO United goalkeeper Phillip Sakauta.

However, the visitors’ lead lasted just a minute as Ivorian forward Freddy Michael Kouablan equalized for the hosts, torching celebrations from the partisan crowd.  Some 20 minutes later, the party died down when 24-year-old Algerian striker Mounder Temine restored the advantage for the Egyptians.

The nine-time Super League champions had a chance to drag themselves back into the contest, but Abraham Siamkombo fired his effort over the bar in the 36th minute. Al Masry went to the break leading 2-1.

In the second half, the Zambian side tried to mount a comeback. However, they were pegged back when Abderrahim Deghmoum extended the lead with a third goal for the visitors.

What next now for ZESCO United and Al Masry?

Team Yaziko were not to die without a fight they sneaked in a second goal in the 86^th minute through Peter Mukusuma after picking a pass from substitute Paschal Phiri to bring the game to a nervous end. Al Masry hang on to their lead to hand ZESCO United a back-to-back defeats and leave their dream for a knockout place hanging dangerously.

The next CAF Confederation Cup assignment for Ndlovu’s men is again at home against Chiefs on the weekend of January 25 while on the same day Al Masry will take on Zamalek.

Ahead of the match, ZESCO United coach Mathews Ndlovu had emphasized the importance of using home-ground advantage when hosting Al Marsy.

ZESCO United

Phillip Sakauta, Benedict Chepeshi, Shemmy Mayembe, Kabaso Chongo, Vitalis Gantar, Leonard Mulenga, Lindo Mkhota, David Simukonda, Freddy Michael, Peter Musukuma, Abraham Siankombo

Al Masry

Mahmoud Hamdy – Karim El-Iraqi, Mohamed Hashem, Khaled Sobhi, Ahmed Ayman Mansour – Bonheur Mugisha, Mahmoud Hamada – Abdel Raheem Daghmoum, Hassan Ali, Ahmed El-Qarmouty – Mondher Temine