Moroccan giants RS Berkane produced a dramatic late winner to defeat Al-Hilal Omdurman 1-0 and secure a historic place in the semifinals of the 25/26 CAF Champions League after a tense encounter played on Sunday at Amahoro Stadium in Kigali.
The Moroccan side needed a stoppage-time goal to seal a 2-1 aggregate victory, having entered the second leg with the tie evenly poised at 1-1.
Just when the game appeared destined for extra time, Berkane found the decisive moment in the 93rd minute to end Al-Hilal’s continental campaign in heartbreaking fashion and keep their dream alive.
The result also ensured that Morocco will have a representative in the final, with compatriots FAR Rabat already through to the semi-finals on the same side of the draw.
Elsewhere, South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns booked their place in the CAF Champions League semi-finals after surviving a tense and dramatic night in Bamako, despite falling 2-0 to Stade Malien in the second leg on Sunday.
The Brazilians advanced 3-2 on aggregate, relying on their strong first-leg performance to edge past a determined Malian side that pushed them to the limit.
For Stade Malien, the result will be disappointing but also a source of pride after a spirited performance that nearly produced a historic comeback.
Sundowns, meanwhile, march on to the semi-finals, keeping their dream of lifting their second CAF Champions League title.
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In the Confederation Cup, Zamalek booked their place in the semifinals after battling to a dramatic 2-1 victory over Congo’s Otoho in Cairo, sealing a 3-2 aggregate triumph in a tense and unforgettable quarter-final clash on Sunday night.
What looked like a comfortable evening for the Egyptian giants quickly turned into a nerve-wracking contest, as late drama, a red card, and an unusual goalkeeping situation tested their resilience before they eventually held on to progress.
Backed by a passionate crowd at Cairo International Stadium, Zamalek started the match with purpose and intensity, clearly determined to take early control of the tie. Their positive approach paid off in the 16th minute when Hossam Abdel-Maguid rose highest to head home from Abdullah El-Said’s well-delivered corner, giving the hosts an early lead and putting them in a commanding position.
Zamalek continued to press forward and were rewarded again just minutes later. Oday Dabbagh reacted quickly inside the penalty area after El-Said’s effort was parried by the goalkeeper, calmly slotting home the rebound to double the advantage. At that point, the Egyptian side looked firmly in control, and they nearly added a third goal before halftime, with two efforts striking the woodwork in quick succession.
In the 83rd minute, Otoho reignited hope when Grace Mavungo unleashed a powerful long-range strike that beat the goalkeeper and reduced the deficit, sending tension across the stadium.
Just moments later, the match took an even more dramatic turn when Zamalek goalkeeper Mohamed Sobhi was shown a straight red card after an altercation, leaving the hosts with ten men and no recognized goalkeeper on the pitch.
With all substitutions already used, striker Seifeddine Jaziri was forced to take up goalkeeping duties in a remarkable and unexpected situation. Otoho pushed forward relentlessly in the closing minutes, launching crosses and long-range attempts in search of a decisive equalizer.
However, Zamalek’s defenders stood firm, throwing themselves into challenges and protecting their makeshift goalkeeper as seven minutes of added time stretched into a tense battle for survival.