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CAF Confederations Cup: quarter-final second leg previews

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Football match between Zamalek SC vs Wolaita Dicha during African Confederation Cup 2018, in Cairo, on March 18, 2018. The Ethiopian debutants Wolaitta Dicha produced one of CAF competitions biggest shocks when they eliminated Egyptian giants and five times African champions Zamalek from the first round, beating them 4-3 on penalties at El Salam stadium in Cairo, Egypt. (Photo by Ahmed Awaad/NurPhoto)

Below are the previews of the quarter-final second legs with CS Sfaxien, Renaissance Berkane of Morocco and Zamalek of Egypt set to book semi-finals places this weekend.

Sfaxien vs Nkana: The narrow loss away to Nkana was the first in nine CAF matches for Sfaxien, who have been among the title favourites since this edition kicked off last November.

They are a typical north African club — virtually invincible at home and capable of snatching precious away goals as Habib Oueslati did in Zambia with six minutes left.

That late strike leaves Sfaxien needing just a 1-0 home win to progress and they should succeed against Nkana, who excel at home and struggle away.

Berkane vs Gor: Even Turkey-born coach Hassan Oktay admits Gor Mahia of Kenya face an almost impossible task after losing 2-0 at home to 2018 quarter-finalists Berkane.

He and captain/defender Harun Shakava can be involved after serving one-match bans, but star striker Jacques Tuyisenge is among three regulars still out owing to suspensions.

Berkane have been formidable at their stadium in northeastern Morocco, winning four matches and drawing one with Togolese sharpshooter Kodjo Fo-Doh Laba starring.

Zamalek vs Agadir: Nine-time CAF title winners Zamalek of Egypt are set to dump another Moroccan club out of the African equivalent of the UEFA Europa League after drawing 0-0 away to Hassania Agadir.

At the play-offs stage three months ago, the White Knights of Cairo eliminated Ittihad Tangier by drawing away and winning at home.

Zamalek are on a six-match unbeaten CAF run under former Tottenham manager Christian Gross and the return to fitness of Kahraba gives him a near full-strength squad to choose from.

Hilal vs Etoile: The return match in Omdurman was postponed after the fall of longtime Sudan autocrat Omar al-Bashir with Al Hilal hoping to overturn a 3-1 deficit against Etoile Sahel of Tunisia.

A CAF statement said a new venue for the second leg will be scheduled at a later date, with reports indicating it will be relocated to Addis Ababa and played on April 22.

Penalties played a crucial role in the first leg as twice Confederation Cup winners Etoile were awarded three in total — Yassine Chikhaoui converted two while Karim Aouadhi missed another.



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