Al Masry edge ZESCO in five-goal thriller to seize control of Group D

Al Masry made it two wins from two in the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup group stage with a 3–2 victory away to ZESCO United on Friday, moving top of Group D ahead of Saturday’s Kaizer Chiefs v Zamalek clash.

The Egyptians struck inside four minutes when Mohamed Hashem finished to give the visiting side the perfect start.

The lead lasted barely 60 seconds as Freddy Kouablan pounced to level for ZESCO, but the visitors regained control midway through the half when Mounder Tenime swept home on 24 minutes to send Al Masry in 2–1 up at the break.

ZESCO pressed after the restart, introducing Pascal Phiri and Zachariah Chilongoshi at half-time and later Pepo Ifoni and Chijioke Alaekwe on 70 minutes, but Al Masry found the game’s crucial third.

Midfielder Abderrahim Deghmoum arrived to finish in the 68th minute, giving the Port Said club a two-goal cushion that ultimately proved decisive.

The hosts refused to fold. Substitute Peter Musukuma set up a tense finale with an 87th-minute reply and went close again deep into added time, but Al Masry held firm through nine minutes of stoppage time to bank a significant away win.

The result leaves the standings finely poised but with Al Masry in command: the Egyptians lead Group D on six points (five scored, three conceded) from two matches.

Zamalek sit second on three points with a game in hand after their opening-day win over ZESCO, while Kaizer Chiefs are without a point following defeat at Al Masry last weekend. ZESCO remain bottom with two defeats from two despite a spirited display in Ndola.

Attention now turns to Kaizer Chiefs v Zamalek on Saturday, a meeting that will shape the early qualification picture behind the flying leaders.