Nduli gives Stellenbosch stunning victory over Zamalek

The 29-year-midfielder struck after 79 minutes in Cairo, pouncing on a cutback to fire a close-range shot over goalkeeper Mohamed Awad.

It was the only goal of the quarter-final, after a 0-0 first leg stalemate in Cape Town last week, and the 1-0 overall victory earned Stellenbosch a last-four showdown with Simba of Tanzania this month.

Two-time Confederation Cup winners Renaissance Berkane of Morocco will face surprise packages CS Constantine of Algeria in the other semi-final.

Oussama Lamlioui scored off a Paul Bassene back-heel for Berkane as they beat ASEC Mimosas of the Ivory Coast 1-0 at home to qualify 2-0 on aggregate.

Constantine upset former title-holders USM Alger by winning a penalty shootout 4-3 after a second 1-1 draw between the Algerian clubs left them level at 2-2 on aggregate.

USM captain Adam Alilet converted a first-half penalty in the second leg in Algiers and Abdennour Belhocini equalised via a 56th-minute header.

Stellenbosch, who hail from a rugby union stronghold in the western Cape, are competing in Africa for the first time this season having finished third in the South African Premiership.

They had to overcome two vastly experienced African campaigners, V Club of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Stade Malien of Mali, to reach the knockout stage.

But Zamalek, whose 13 CAF titles is bettered only by the 25 of Cairo neighbours Al Ahly, were widely expected to end the Stellenbosch run.

- Squandering -

At home, the Egyptian White Knights struggled to break through the South African defence with Moroccan international Seifeddine Jaziri squandering their best two chances.

Rattled after Nduli struck, Zamalek never looked like scoring the two goals they needed under the away goal rule to survive.

Portuguese Jose Peseiro, the former Nigeria coach and third to guide Zamalek this season, omitted star Ahmed 'Zizo' Sayed amid reports that the winger is set to join arch rivals Ahly.

"I have not signed for any club, inside or outside Egypt. If someone has my signature, let them show it publicly," the forward wrote on his Facebook account.

Goalkeeper Moussa Camara and defender Shomari Kapombe played key roles as Simba beat Al Masry of Egypt 4-1 on penalties after winning the return match 2-0 in Dar es Salaam to tie the overall score at 2-2.

Guinean Camara, who took the blame for the first Masry goal in the first leg, saved two of three spot kicks he faced before a near-capacity crowd in the 60,000-seat national stadium.

After Simba converted their first three penalties, Kapombe beat Masry captain Mahmoud Gad to take Simba to the Confederation Cup semi-finals for the first time in seven attempts.

Goals from DR Congo-born Elie Mpanzu and Ugandan Steven Mukwala in the first half had wiped out the advantage Masry took to the east African port city.