Al Masry aim to book quarterfinal berth

by Graeme Jackson

Thursday Aug 16, 2018. 13:20

Al Masry will look to book a quarterfinal berth in the 2018 CAF Confederation Cup when they take on Group B rivals UD Songo at the Ferroviario Stadium in Beira on Sunday, August 19, kick-off at 15h00 CAT.

Masry come into the game having beaten North African rivals RS Berkane 1-0 at home in their last CAF club clash. A lone goal from Islam Issa early in the second half saw the Egyptian side to victory in Port Said at the back end of July.

The result took the Green Eagles to the top of Group B on eight points from four matches. They have a narrow one-point lead over second-placed Berkane, but will guarantee themselves a place in the knockout rounds if they claim victory in this clash.

UD Songo find themselves at the bottom of the standings with just two points, but they still have a slim mathematical chance of reaching the quarterfinals if they win both of their remaining matches. Yet the fact that they have yet to pick up a three-pointer in this pool suggests their odds of doing so are fairly long.

The Mozambican side’s last outing in the Confederation Cup ended in a 1-1 draw at home to Al Hilal. They claimed an early lead through Mario Sinamunda, but the Sudanese struck back with a goal from Sharaf Shaiboub to earn a share of the spoils.

Masry and Songo met in the first round of Group B matches back in May, with the North Africans claiming a 2-0 win in Port Said thanks to a brace from striker Ahmed Gomaa.

Malian referee Mahamadou Keita will take charge of the match in Beira. The other Group B game sees Al Hilal host Berkane in Omdurman, with kick-off at 21h00 CAT.