Masry edge Simba 2-0 to move closer to CAF Confederation Cup semis - Egyptian Football
Algerian midfielder Abderrahim Deghmoum opened the scoring for Masry in the 16th minute, while second-half substitute John Ebuka sealed the victory with a late strike confirmed by VAR after initial offside confusion.
The Port Said-based side pushed forward from the start of the game, seeking for an early opener but they failed to create clear-cut scoring opportunities.
However, the breakthrough came a minute after the quarter-hour mark, when Deghmoum received a cross from midfielder Youssef El-Gohary outside the area, unleashing a powerful left-footed shot to the bottom right corner.
After the goal, the visitors abandoned their tight and solid defensive approach and pushed forward, seeking to level the score. They waged numerous attempts on Masry's goal, but the Port Said-based side's resolute defense blocked all their opportunities.
The Tunisian tactician Anis Boujelbene reshuffled his midfield midway through the second half, introducing Karim Bambo and Beninese midfielder Samadou Attidjikou for Fakhredine Ben Youssef and Deghmoum.
The changes nearly paid dividends when Salah Mohsen's 73rd-minute strike from Bambo's pass narrowly whistled wide.
Simba's Leonel Ateba forced a crucial save from goalkeeper Mahmoud Gad minutes later, the Cameroonian connecting cleanly with Kibu Denis' cross only for Gad to palm the close-range effort away.
The keeper shone again in the dying moments with multiple saves to keep Simba at bay.
Ebuka finally killed off Simba's hopes deep into stoppage time, slotting home a goal initially ruled offside before VAR overturned the decision, sparking jubilation among the home fans.
Masry will aim to defend their advantage in the return leg at Simba's fortress in Dar es Salaam on 9 April, with the aggregate winner faces either Zamalek or South Africa's Stellenbosch in the semifinals.
(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
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