Stellenbosch FC and defending champions Zamalek played to a goalless draw in the first leg of their CAF Confederation Cup quarter-final.
CAF Confederation Cup
Result: Stellenbosch FC 0-0 Zamalek
Date: 02 April 2025
Venue: DHL Stadium
Stellies coach Steve Barker handed recalls to Bafana Bafana left-back Fawaaz Basadien and Ashley Cupido for the side's first appearance in the knockout stage of the tournament.
The South African outfit came against one of the top performers in the group stages as they were one of three teams to finish unbeaten in the first phase.
Zamalek had faced South African opposition on eight previous occasions, registering four wins and four losses but with the way things were going in the first half, they were heading for a first draw.
Neither side were able to carve out any serious chances in the opening 45 minutes but the encounter was still played at a lively tempo.
The second half was a lot more subdued in the opening stages, although the Betway Premiership side enjoyed more of the possession without creating any clear-cut openings in the final third.
Both sides responded with a change after the hour mark as Stellenbosch threw on Ibraheem Jabaar for Genino Palace, while Zamalek withdrew Nabil Dunga for Mahmoud Gehad with the hope livening up their attack for the final 30 minutes.
Zamalek nearly bagged the winning goal with five minutes left on the clock when Mostafa Shalaby did well to pick out Naser Mansy, who saw his header saved on the line by goalkeeper Sage Stephens.
That proved to be the final chance of the encounter as the two sides will head to Cairo next week for the second leg.
Here's how they lined up:
Stellenbosch FC: Stephens, Basadien, Toure, Enyinnaya, Nduli, Khiba, Moloisane, Palace, Titus, De Jong, Cupido
Subs: Masuluke, Mdaka, Lekoloane, Phili, Butsaka, Barns, Mcaba, Jabaar, Nku.
Zamalek: Awad, El Wensh, Abdelmaguid, Moussaddaq, Fatou, Gaber, Dunga, Shehata, Zizou, Shalaby, Jaziri
Subs: Sobhi, Hossam, El Zenary, Hamdy, Gehad, Mahmoud, Gaafar, Maher, Mansy.
