Kigali, Rwanda — Egyptian giants Zamalek and Pyramids FC made important strides towards the 2026/27 CAF Champions League group stage after recording identical 1–0 away victories in Friday’s second preliminary-round first-leg matches.
Zamalek defeated Rwanda’s APR FC in Kigali thanks to a dramatic late strike from substitute Nasser Mansi, while Mahmoud Saber scored the decisive goal as Pyramids overcame El Merriekh Bentiu in South Sudan.
Both Egyptian clubs will take narrow advantages into their return matches on 24 October as they seek to secure places in the competition’s group stage.
Mansi delivers late winner for Zamalek
Zamalek left it until the closing moments to break APR FC’s resistance at Amahoro Stadium, with Mansi scoring in the 90th minute to give the visitors a valuable victory.
The Egyptian side had created opportunities throughout the encounter but struggled to find a breakthrough against a disciplined Rwandan defence.
Zamalek appeared to have taken the lead shortly before Mansi’s decisive effort, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside. The visitors continued pushing forward and eventually found the winner when Mansi converted a pass from Isho inside the penalty area.
The result puts Zamalek in a favourable position ahead of the second leg in Cairo, although APR will still have an opportunity to overturn the deficit.
Zamalek reached this stage after defeating Djibouti’s AS Port 6–1 on aggregate in the first preliminary round. APR advanced by eliminating Aigles du Congo 3–1 on aggregate after producing a 3–0 home victory in the return match.
Saber strikes as Pyramids beat El Merriekh Bentiu
Pyramids FC also secured a narrow away victory, defeating South Sudan’s El Merriekh Bentiu 1–0 in Juba.
Mahmoud Saber scored the only goal in the 30th minute, giving the Egyptian side the advantage after a productive first-half spell.
However, the victory came with a setback. Pyramids defender Mahmoud Marei was sent off in the 89th minute after receiving a second yellow card, meaning he will miss the return fixture.
Defender Iyad Al-Asqalani is also set to be unavailable for the second leg through suspension after accumulating bookings during the previous preliminary-round matches.
Despite those absences, Pyramids will return to Cairo with a one-goal lead and home advantage for the decisive encounter at the Air Defence Stadium on 24 October.
The Egyptian side reached the second preliminary round after defeating Kenya’s Gor Mahia 7–1 on aggregate.
More heavyweight clubs enter action
The second preliminary-round first legs continue across Africa over the weekend, with several established continental sides seeking to take control of their ties.
Saturday’s fixtures include Tanzania’s Young Africans against Madagascar’s CFFA, South African side Orlando Pirates away to Namibia’s African Stars, and a meeting between TP Mazembe of DR Congo and Tunisia’s Club Africain.
Simba SC of Tanzania will also travel to Equatorial Guinea to face 15 de Agosto, while Côte d’Ivoire’s San-Pédro host Mauritania’s FC Nouadhibou.
Sunday brings another busy programme, including Nigeria’s Rangers International against Algerian champions MC Alger, Mamelodi Sundowns away to Angola’s Wiliete, and Espérance Sportive de Tunis visiting Libya’s Al-Swehly.
Other Sunday fixtures include Horoya AC against Al-Merreikh, Teungueth FC against Colombe Sportive, and Maghreb Fès against ASEC Mimosas.
Simba SC’s first-leg match against 15 de Agosto is listed for Tuesday, 20 October, in the published fixture schedule.
Group-stage places at stake
The second preliminary round is a crucial stage in the race to reach the CAF Champions League group phase. Clubs must navigate their two-legged ties successfully to advance, with the return matches scheduled later this month.
For Zamalek and Pyramids, Friday’s victories provide a useful foundation, but neither tie is settled. APR FC and El Merriekh Bentiu will both need strong performances in the return legs if they are to keep their continental campaigns alive.
