Zamalek eliminated from CAF Champions League as Petro, Wydad progress

• Zamalek have picked only two points in four matches
• Petro moved top of the group after beating Sagrada 3-0
• Wydad have also progressed as they are on nine points

Egyptian giants Zamalek have been eliminated from the CAF Champions League after Saturday’s results pitting Petro de Luanda and Sagrada Esperanca pushed them off contention.

Zamalek had lost 1-0 to Wydad Club Athletic in their group match on Friday and having only accumulated two points, were hoping Petro lose for them to retain a chance of making it into the quarter finals. However, Petro beat Sagrada 3-0 to move top of the group.

With 10 points and Wydad nine, the two sides have accumulated an unassailable lead with two matches left to play. The two sides will contest on who finishes top while Zamalek and Sagrada will only play for pride.

Heading into match day four between the two Angolan giants, Esperança were in a must win situation to keep their hopes alive, but instead, Petro completed a home and away sweep to move top of the log.

Petro got into the lead just 16 seconds into the match when skipper Tiago Azulao volleyed the ball home from inside the box after picking up a cross from Gleison on the right.

It was a perfect start for Petro who have been brilliant throughout the group phases.

They continued dominating the match and they had to wait until the last minute of the opening half when Azulao added his second of the afternoon, sliding in to poke the ball home after the keeper had spilled a shot from distance.

In the second half they continued their dominance and they almost made it 2-0 when Celso had a shot come off the woodwork after controlling a cross from Carlinhos inside the box.

They however got the third goal at the death off the penalty spot after a foul inside the box. Erico Castro stepped up and expertly put the ball into the net for a comfortable 3-0 victory.

Elsewhere, Esperance moved top of Group C after beating Etoile du Sahel 2-0 in the Tunisian Derby at the Stade Olympique de Radès in Tunis on Saturday.

Esperance celebrate their win over Etoile

Abdelkader Bedrane and Mohamed Ben Romdhane scored the goals for Esperance as they moved to eight points, same as second placed CR Belouizdad.

While Esperance moved closer to a place in the last eight, Etoile now have to win their remaining two games to progress. They are still on three points and third in the group. Meanwhile, Jwaneng Galaxy can officially not qualify for the quarter finals as they are bottom with a point.

Esperance were on from the start and wanted to get an early goal. Bedrane had a chance after 11 minutes but his header missed the target.

Despite the high tempo, none of the two sides could get a goal in the opening half.

In the second period, Esperance kept their front running on and in the 66th minute they had a goal when Bedrane picked up a freekick before beating the keeper.

Esperance sealed the victory 10 minutes later when Ben Romdhane scored his fourth goal of the tournament with a rasping shot from distance. The 2-0 lead was a comfortable pick for Esperance who managed the game till the final whistle.