APR–Zamalek: Mansi settles the game, missed chances leave the hosts with regrets
Zamalek won 1–0 in Kigali on Friday 16 October, through substitute Nasser Mansi. Ahead of the return leg in Cairo on 24 October, APR may rue the openings they failed to convert. The Egyptians took the lead in the tie without smothering their opponents.
Contribution SNA · Author profile · · Updated 17/10/2026 13:26 UTC
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In the 90th minute, Nasser Mansi turned a pass from Ahmed Abdelrahim, known as Isho, into a valuable victory for Zamalek at Amahoro Stadium. Two substitutes decided the first leg of the CAF Champions League second preliminary round. Their combination delivered what the visitors’ earlier chances had not: a goal.
For APR, however, defeat does not tell the whole story. The Rwandan club created opportunities to score, then allowed their opponents to leave Kigali with a one-goal advantage. Finishing mattered, right down to the closing minutes.
APR got close without finding the net
After a first chance for Zamalek through Oday Dabbagh, the hosts threatened, notably through shots and crosses. Mahdi Soliman had to deal with an effort from Dao and protect his goal again before the interval. The Egyptian goalkeeper helped keep the game scoreless while his team conceded openings.
The clearest source of regret for APR was William Togui’s chance: in the final quarter of an hour, he sent an effort over the bar from close range. The chance illustrates APR’s lack of a clinical edge. Creating a favourable opening offers no lead if the final touch misses its target.
Those chances alone do not establish continuous Rwandan dominance. They do show that APR had opportunities to change the score but failed to find the accuracy required.
The substitutes decide it, the tie remains open
Mansi’s introduction provided a decisive option. Shortly before his goal, the Egyptians had already thought they had scored, only for the effort to be ruled out for offside. Zamalek finished with a decisive move after the scares caused by Dao and Togui.
The substitutes’ contribution does not erase the chances conceded. Limiting those openings will be a key concern for Zamalek in the return leg. APR, meanwhile, need greater accuracy in front of goal to make their dangerous moments count.
One goal will separate the teams at kick-off in Cairo on 24 October. Zamalek hold the advantage; a place in the group stage remains to be won.
Contribution SNA