CAF Confederation Cup: Zamalek survive Brazzaville test in 1st leg draw

Egyptian giants Zamalek overcame an early deficit to escape Brazzaville with a 1-1 draw against hosts AS Otôho in the first leg of their CAF Confederation Cup quarterfinal clash on Saturday.

The visitors struck against the run of play in the 32nd minute through Oday Dabbagh to cancel out Charles Atipo’s 13th minute free kick. The reigning Egypt Cup champions will be favored to progress when the teams meet again for the second leg next Sunday in Cairo.

But the two-time Confederation Cup champions were certainly put under siege in the opening half hour at the Stade Alphonse Massemba-Débat. An energetic start from Otôho forced the Egyptian club into a defensive shell and it was Atipo who made the breakthrough with an excellent curling free kick to close out the opening quarter-hour.

The hosts were in a strong position to push their advantage but Zamalek remained organized and caught their opponents unaware in the 32nd minute. Ahmed Rabie had plenty of room to carry the ball forward and picked out the run of Dabbagh with an excellent pass from midfield. The Palestinian forward produced a confident finish past Otôho keeper Aboubacar Doumbia to level the match.

Otôho regained control after halftime but despite a strong start to the second half, they could not find a way past goalkeeper Mohamed Sobhi. The hosts failed to put any of their efforts on target, including on late efforts from Bandiougou Diallo and starlet Grace Mavoungou in the final fifteen minutes.

It ends level. 🤝#TotalEnergiesCAFCC pic.twitter.com/7n3hLgfsJH

— TotalEnergies CAFCL & CAFCC 🏆 (@CAFCLCC) March 14, 2026

Zamalek were quite content to hold on in the second half and ultimately earned a positive result to take back home.