Al Masry coach Nabil Kouki has shrugged off controversy after his side’s narrow 2-1 defeat to Kaizer Chiefs in their CAF Confederation Cup Group D clash at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium on Sunday.
The result sees the Soweto giants move to the top of the group, leapfrogging the Egyptian side and strengthening their position ahead of the final round of fixtures.
The match turned on a hotly-debated penalty awarded to Chiefs in the 39th minute. Flavio Silva calmly converted from the spot after Al Masry captain Ahmed Mansour was adjudged to have blocked Glody Lilepo’s goalbound effort with his arm.
The visitors protested vigorously, but Silva kept his composure to put the hosts ahead.
Speaking after the game, Kouki refused to place the blame entirely on the officials, while acknowledging the handball decision was debatable.
“Well, I cannot say the referee has full responsibility for the penalty, but Kaizer Chiefs had a good game,” he said.
“A penalty is a big decision to make. I saw a picture of my player with his hands behind his back. However, I can’t say that the referee took the game away from us. I can say Kaizer Chiefs played a good game.”
Al Masry responded in the 57th minute through Abderrahim Deghmoum, whose composed finish levelled the scores and gave the Egyptian side hope of at least salvaging a point.
That hope was quickly dashed when Aden McCarthy struck the decisive goal three minutes later, securing all three points for Chiefs and leaving Al Masry frustrated but not demoralised.
With one match remaining in Group D, Chiefs sit atop the standings with 10 points, two ahead of Zamalek, and are now favourites to advance as group winners.
They will face the Cairo-based side in their final group stage encounter on Sunday, 15 February 2026, in what promises to be a decisive clash.
