CAFCL: Algeria’s ES Setif stun Esperance to book Egyptian maestros Al Ahly in semifinal

ES Setif stunned home side Esperance du Tunis at the Stade Olympique Hammadi Agrebi in Rades, Tunisia on Friday night, beating the four-time winners 1-0 to progress to the semi-final of the 2021/2022 CAF Champions League.

Heading in to the return fixture in Rades after playing to a barren draw in the first leg, Setif needed at least a scoring draw to take them through, but they stepped up one better to pick a win on enemy soil and progress to the last four for the first time since 2018.

Abdelmoumene Djabou scored the all-important goal in the 21st minute with a neat finishas he waded past the Esperance keeper to tap into an empty net after being fed by a brilliant Riyad Benayad through ball.

After going down, Esperance poured in absolutely everything in attack, but Setif defended with their lives to keep their hopes of a third Champions League title firmly within their reach.

In Morocco, record CAF Champions League winners Al Ahly showcased incredible mentality and character in advancing to the semifinal as they overcame a hostile Mohamed V Stadium to secure a 1-1 draw against Raja Club Athletic that proved more than enough to get the job done as they won 3-2 on aggregate.

Ahead of the tie, Raja needed in the least a 1-0 victory to force the game to penalties or a win of over two goals for outright qualification.

They had a dream start as Fabrice Ngoma headed them into a fifth minute lead when he headed home at the far post off an Abdelilah Madkour cross.

Ahly were then awarded a spot-kick in the 17th minute after VAR review when Mohsine Moutaouali was adjudged to have brought down Hussein El Shahaat inside the box but Tunisian defender Ali Maaloul could not convert as goalkeeper Anas Zniti kept his side ahead.

A minute to the half time break, Mohammed Abdelmonem wiped the blushes off Maaloul as he rose highest to head in Malooul’s corner kick, a goal that ended up getting the job done as Ahly remain on course for a third consecutive African title.

The two sides will now face each other in semifinal 1. The other semis clash will be between the winners of Mamelodi Sundown/Petro Athletico and Wydad Athletic Club/CR Belouizdad.

Quarter Final 2nd Leg Fixtures

Mamelodi Sundowns vs Petro Athletico – 1900EAT

Wydad vs CR Beluizdad -0100EAT