Pre-Match Facts: Zamalek eye final as Belouizdad chase historic comeback in Cairo

Zamalek will look to finish the job against CR Belouizdad in Cairo on Friday as pre-match facts highlight their strong position heading into the second leg of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup semi-final.

The Egyptian giants hold a 1-0 advantage from the first leg in Algiers and boast a formidable home record, losing just once in 23 matches in the competition.

Belouizdad, however, remain a threat, particularly in key moments of matches, having scored the most goals in both the opening and closing 15-minute periods of games this season.

Zamalek’s defensive resilience could prove decisive, with the team conceding just two open-play goals in the tournament so far—one of the best records among all sides.

History also favours the hosts, who have progressed from previous knockout ties after winning the first leg, while Algerian sides have struggled to secure victories on Egyptian soil.

With a place in the final at stake, the data suggests Zamalek are firmly in control—but Belouizdad’s attacking patterns mean the tie remains alive heading into a decisive second leg.

Below are the pre-match facts of the second-leg match between Zamalek and Belouizdad:

● Zamalek are unbeaten across their previous three meetings with Algerian sides in the CAF Confederation Cup (W1 D2), including a 1-0 win over Belouizdad in the first leg last week. 
● This will be the fourth consecutive game against Egyptian sides for Belouizdad in the CAF Confederation Cup, drawing twice with Al Masry in the quarter-finals (1-1 and 0-0) before losing to Zamalek last week. 
● The last Algerian side to win away from home against a Egyptian side in the CAF Confederation Cup was ES Sétif against ENPPI Club in the 2009 group stage (4-3), with the Algerian teams being winless in four such games since (D3 L1). 
● Zamalek will be looking to reach their third final at the CAF Confederation Cup (also 2018-19 and 2023-24), which would be more than all other Egyptian sides managed combined (2). 
● Belouizdad could be the fifth Algerian side to reach the CAF Confederation Cup final and the first one since USM Alger in 2022-23. 
● When winning the first leg, Zamalek managed to progress from each of their previous two knockout stage two-legged ties in the CAF Confederation Cup (2018-19 semi-finals vs Etoile du Sahel and 2023-24 quarter-finals vs Modern Future). 
● Zamalek have lost just one of their 23 home games in the CAF Confederation Cup (W17 D5), going down 0-1 to Stellenbosch in the 2024-25 quarter-finals. Moreover, they never conceded more than once on home soil in the competition. 
● Belouizdad have scored the most goals in the opening 15 minutes in the CAF Confederation Cup this season (5) and the joint-most goals in the final 15 minutes (5, level with Wydad Casablanca). 
● Zamalek have conceded just two open play goals in the CAF Confederation Cup this season, the joint fewest of all sides (level with Maniema Union), with 67% of the goals they conceded coming from set pieces (4/6) – the highest share of all sides. 
● Zamalek’s Juan Alvina has scored in two of his last three starts in the CAF Confederation Cup, converting two of his last three shots in the competition, after failing to net a single goal from his 11 prior shots this season.