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Confed Cup quarterfinals commence – 2025/26 CAF Champions League

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Zamalek players warm up ©Mostafa Emira/BackpagePix

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Staff Reporter

Friday Mar 13, 2026. 13:00

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The CAF Confederation Cup quarter finals kick-off with a bang on Saturday as the remaining eight sides look to gain first-leg advantage across the continent this weekend.

In the opening fixture of the knockout stage, AS Otohô will host Egyptian giants Zamalek at the Stade Alphonse Massamba-Débat in Brazzaville on Saturday. Kick-off will be at 3pm CAT.

AS Otohô finished as runners-up in group C with an even three wins and three losses, four points above last season’s semi-finalists Stellenbosch. They will be looking to capitalise on home-ground advantage and take a lead into the second leg.

Zamalek topped group D with three wins, two draws and one loss. The Egyptian Premier League leaders will be aiming to claim the coveted trophy for the second time in three seasons, starting with an impressive away performance on Saturday.

In Saturday’s second fixture, Al Masry will face CR Belouizdad at the New Suez Stadium in Suez. Kick-off is at 10pm CAT.

The hosts snuck into the knockout stage, edging Kaizer Chiefs by one goal on goal difference as both teams managed three wins, one draw and two losses. They are aiming to advance to the semi-finals of the competition for the first time since 2018.

CR Belouizdad clinched top spot in group C with an impressive five wins and only one loss. Unbeaten in its last nine games across all competitions, the Les Rouges will look to keep the momentum rolling.

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Sunday’s first matchup pits Maniema Union against USM Alger at the Stade du TP Mazembe in Lubumbashi, kicking-off at 3pm CAT.

The Congolese side finished second in group B, collecting four wins alongside 2 losses. They will be leaning on their home crowd and the stadium which has proven difficult for both Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns this season.

USM Alger impressed in group A, going undefeated with four wins and two draws. They will look to keep their unbeaten streak alive.

In the last quarter final first leg clash, OC Safi are set to tackle Wydad in an all-Moroccan affair at the Stade El Massira in Safi, kicking off at midnight on Monday.

Wydad dominated group B with five wins and one loss while OC Safi finished second in group A with a strong four wins, one draw and one loss.

The Red Devils emerged as victors when the two sides met in November in the Botola Pro 1, a result that OC Safi will be looking to overturn.

Confederation Cup quarter final 1st-leg fixtures

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Saturday, 14 March

15:00 CAT – AS Otohô (Republic of the Congo) v Zamalek (Egypt)

22:00 CAT – Al Masry (Egypt) v CR Belouizdad (Morocco)

Sunday, 15 March

15:00 CAT – Maniema Union (DR Congo) v USM Alger (Algeria)

Monday, 16 March

00:00 CAT – Olympic Club de Safi (Morocco) v Wydad AC (Morocco)

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By Nic Gleeson

CK Updates

Commonwealth Games 2026: Gymnast Ruby Evans wins first gold for Wales

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Ruby Evans in her gymnastic routine

Gymnast Ruby Evans has won Wales’ first Commonwealth Games gold in Glasgow with victory in the floor final.

Evans, 19, performed the final routine of the women’s programme and defeated England’s Abigail Martin into silver, with her team-mate Shantae-Eve Amankwaah securing bronze.

Evans left the arena in tears on Sunday after her disappointing sixth in the all-round individual competition, that after Wales finished fourth in the team event.

Now, after Welsh identical twins Abigail and Emily Roper won bronze medals within a couple of hours of each other on Monday, Evans has delivered gold.

It was the first victory for Team Wales in Scotland and a ninth medal alongside two silver and six bronze.

There is also a guaranteed podium position for boxer Connor Williams after he reached the semi-finals.

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Saltburn-Norton match investigated over alleged ‘finger clicking’ cheating

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Tech Billionaire Takeover

An amateur cricket match has made global headlines after a fielder was accused of cheating by clicking his fingers to get a wicket.

The North Yorkshire and South Durham Cricket League has started an investigation into a second XI Division 2 game between Saltburn and Norton.

A viral video on social media appears to show a Saltburn fielder clicking his fingers as the ball passes Noman Shabir’s bat before being caught by wicketkeeper Josh Bowes. Saltburn appeal and the umpire gives Shabir out.

It has been suggested that the finger-clicking was designed to trick the umpire into thinking the batter edged the ball.

Saltburn won by 159 runs and are top of Division 2 by 17 points.

“The league have received a formal complaint regarding alleged incidents in a Division Two game on Saturday,” the league said in a statement on X.

“A full investigation has been initiated and until such time as the formal processes are complete no further comment will be made.”

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Last week Bowes took eight catches in Saltburn’s 22-run win over Shildon Railway. The men’s Test record for catches by a keeper in an innings is seven.

Bowes leads the league standings with 31 catches, 10 more than any other player.

Rory Cotterill, who captained Middlesbrough second XI during a 29-run defeat by Saltburn last month, responded to a social media post containing the video and alleged two further incidents of cheating by Saltburn in that match.

The original video of the incident has had more than three million views on X, with publications in Australia and New Zealand among those to report it.

The BBC has contacted the league and Saltburn. Norton declined to comment.

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West Indies v Pakistan: Justin Greaves takes five wickets for none in incredible spell

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Steve Borthwick

First Test, Tarouba (day three of five)

West Indies 311 (Hope 92; Ali 4-50) & 126-7 (Chanderpaul 35, Abbas 3-14)

Pakistan 282 (Masood 109; Greaves 5-27)

West Indies lead by 155 runs

Scorecard

West Indies all-rounder Justin Greaves took five wickets without conceding a run in an incredible spell of bowling on day three of the first Test against Pakistan.

Greaves, who is playing in his 17th Test, claimed his maiden Test five-wicket haul to help dismiss Pakistan for 282 in response to West Indies’ first-innings total of 311.

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The 32-year-old Barbadian’s spell – five consecutive wicket maidens – was all the more remarkable given he had bowled six overs earlier in the day for 27 runs without taking a wicket.

“When I came on captain Roston Chase just said ‘continue to be disciplined in what you are doing’ and to see if I can get some wickets for the team,” Greaves said.

“The ball nipped around and I got some reward. Anytime I get the ball in hand the team looks to me to be that solid player for them [and] try to dig us out of situations.

“To get five wickets for the first time in Test cricket, I’m really happy, but there’s still a lot of work to do in the game.”

Pakistan captain Shan Masood was Greaves’ first wicket at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad when he was bowled for 109 in the 64th over following a superb set-up.

Greaves had pushed the ball wide to the left-hander from over the wicket before he tailed a delivery back into Masood who played down the wrong line and inside edged on to his stumps.

Aamer Jamal had his middle stump uprooted in Greaves’ next over as the seamer speared one through his defences.

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Greaves then trapped Ali Usman lbw before he had Mohammed Rizwan and Mohammad Abbas both caught behind as Pakistan lost their last seven wickets for just 38 runs.

West Indies reached stumps on day three on 126-7 in their second innings – a lead of 155 runs – to leave the match finely poised.

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