Masry’s road win in Zambia fires them to group leadership in CAF Confederation Cup

Match Recap

Masry Port Said secured a vital 3-2 victory at ZESCO United in the CAF Confederation Cup Group D on a Friday night, a result that kept their momentum alive in the competition.

Under Tunisian coach Nabil El-Kouky, Masry earned their second straight win, moving to six points after opening with a 2-1 win over Kaizer Chiefs.

Zamalek sit second with three points after beating ZESCO 1-0 at Cairo Stadium, and they will travel to Kaizer Chiefs in their next group game.

The Masry victory came on the road as they produced a strong performance to claim the three points and sharpen their chances of reaching the knockout rounds.

Masry’s scorers were Mohamed Hashem, Abdel Rahim Dagmoum, and Mondher Tamin, while ZESCO struck through Freddy Kwabelan and Peter Musukoma.

Match events

The opening minutes were lively as Masry took the lead in the 4th minute via a headed finish from defender Mohamed Hashem, but ZESCO responded quickly through a powerful effort from Freddy Kwabelan after a defensive lapse.

Masry settled after the early exchange, but the Zambian side pushed for equality before Masry finally extended their lead at the 24-minute mark following another defensive error from ZESCO’s defense and goalkeeper.

In the second half, ZESCO brought on Pascal Verhe and Zakaria Chilengoshi while Masry sought to press ahead after a period of control by the home team.

Cairo-born Karim Bambo came on for Hassan Ali, and Abdel Rahim Dagmoum sealed the win with a third for Masry, boosting their confidence in the group.

Kingsley Eduah and Evoni played for ZESCO, while Mido Jaber and Kingsley Eiduah lined up for Masry; Musukoma scored for the hosts late on, but Masry held on for victory.

After the final whistle, Dr. Mohamed Musa, head of Masry’s delegation, thanked the club’s board and emphasized the deep ties with Egyptian football allies, including the support from Pyramids FC in Zambia, highlighted by Hany Saeed, the club’s sporting director, and Croatian coach Kronoslav Juricic for their involvement.

Musa also stressed Masry’s appreciation for such gestures, underlining the strong relationship between clubs representing Egypt in African competitions.

Masry’s presence in the Confederation Cup has become a staple of Egyptian football in recent years, with steadily improving performances that have cemented their status as a top side in Africa behind the gatekeepers of the continent’s giants.

Historically, Masry’s Confederation Cup journey began in 2017 under coach Hossam Hassan, a season that marked a major shift as the club reached the group stages for the first time.

The 2018 campaign remains the club’s best, reaching the semi-finals—the club’s deepest run in African competition to date and a milestone until today.

In 2019, 2020, and 2022, Masry continued to compete at a continental level with varying success, proving their consistency and maintaining a notable CAF presence even as Egyptian clubs adjusted their strategies. The 2020 quarterfinals saw them face Renaissance Berkane, a tough opponent who eventually lifted the title, underscoring the difficulty of Masry’s path in the tournament.

In 2022, Masry reached the quarterfinals again after a strong group stage, only to be edged by an Egyptian rival in a highly competitive clash that showcased the intensity of continental football.

Punchline time: If Masry’s goals were a sniper’s shot, they hit the target every time and left the keeper wondering what happened to the rest of his day. Punchline 2: Masry’s defense is like a good ex—suddenly present when you least expect it, and somehow always right on cue in stoppage time.