CAF Confederation Cup: CR Belouizdad hold Al Masry to seal semi-final spot

CR Belouizdad dug deep to earn a gritty 0-0 draw against Al Masry at the Stade de Nelson Mandela, a result that sends the Algerian side through to the CAF Confederation Cup semi-finals on away goals after a 1-1 aggregate score.

Belouizdad shaded possession and tried to impose themselves early, but clear chances were scarce in a tense first half dominated by midfield battles and tactical fouls. Both coaches reacted quickly after the break, with a flurry of substitutions around the 46th minute injecting fresh legs and energy into the contest.

Al Masry pushed harder as the second half wore on, knowing they needed a goal to turn the tie in their favour, yet Belouizdad’s back line, marshalled by Farid Chaâl and Abderramane Bekkour, stood firm. The hosts managed eight shots to the visitors’ nine, but both sides registered just two efforts on target in a cagey encounter that always felt like one moment could decide it.

In the end, Belouizdad’s disciplined defending and their crucial away goal from the first leg proved enough, sparking celebrations in Baraki as the final whistle confirmed their place in the last four.