'Hollywood' penalty sinks holders Ahly

Egyptian TV replays showed no contact between Etoile attacker Baghdad Bounedjah and Ahly defender Mohamed Naguib in a first half penalty area challenge.

But as Bounedjah fell theatrically, the referee pointed to the spot and Youssef Mouihbi sent Sherif Ekramy the wrong way to settle a matchday 4 clash between two of the three most successful African football clubs.

Confederation Cup title-holders Ahly have won a record 19 CAF titles and eight-trophy Etoile are the only club to win all five African competitions, including two that are now defunct.

Algerian Bounedjah was a constant threat to Ahly in the high-profile Group A showdown at Stade Olympique in Sousse, a resort city on the Tunisian Mediterranean coast.

But he fluffed a chance to double the lead midway through the second half with Ekramy foiling him in a one-on-one situation.

Ahly offered little in attack with the second-half introduction of recent signing Ghanaian John Antwi bringing no improvement.

Victory lifted 2006 Confederation Cup winners Etoile to nine points, two more than Ahly with two matchdays left. 

Malians Stade Malien are also in contention for a top-two finish and a semi-finals place.

They can join Ahly on seven points by defeating Esperance of Tunisia in Bamako Sunday.

Goals from Thabo Rakhale and Menzi Masuku earned Orlando Pirates of South Africa a 2-0 victory over CS Sfaxien of Tunisia in Group B at Orlando Stadium in Soweto.

Slick passing involving Kermit Erasmus and captain Oupa Manyisa allowed rising star Rakhale to curl the ball into the top of the net after 37 minutes.

A long pass from Patrick Phungwayo enabled Masuku to sprint down the middle, hold off a challenge and slam the ball past goalkeeper Rami Jeridi.

Pirates failed to take several other scoring chances before goalkeeper Brighton Mhlongo pulled off several late saves as Sfaxien sought a consolation goal.

The South Africans will seal a semi-finals place if leaders Zamalek of Egypt avoid defeat Sunday at AC Leopards of Congo Brazzaville.

Zamalek and Pirates have nine points each and shock 2012 Confederation Cup winners Leopards and record three-time title-holders Sfaxien have one apiece.

A third loss in four group games means Sfaxien cannot reach the knockout stage and places a question mark over the future of Portuguese coach Paulo Duarte.