Egypt’s FC Masar end their CAF Women’s Champions League run in stoppage time drama, losing to AS FAR in the semifinals.

FC Masar’s historic run in the CAF Women’s Champions League ended with a 2-1 loss to Morocco’s AS FAR in the semifinals, decided by late drama in stoppage time.

AS FAR took an early lead in the 12th minute through a header from Safa Banouk. FC Masar had a chance to equalize six minutes later, but Sandrine Niyonkuru missed a penalty.

Masar applied the pressure in the second half, and their efforts paid off in stoppage time when a VAR review awarded them a penalty in the 93rd minute.

Maya Abdelrazek’s initial shot was saved by AS FAR goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi, but the referee ordered a retake due to movement off the line. Maya converted on her second attempt in the 97th minute, leveling the score.

However, just two minutes later, Doha El Madani scored the decisive goal for ASFAR with an unbelievable free-kick in the 99th minute, ending FC Masar’s hopes of reaching the final.

Despite the loss, FC Masar’s campaign was a historic one. Not only was this their first time participating in the tournament, but they also became the first Egyptian club to reach the semifinals of the CAF Women’s Champions League.

The team has been on the rise in the past two seasons, winning the Egypt Cup in 2022-23 and securing the league and cup double in 2023-24. They currently lead the Egyptian Women’s League for the 2024-2025 season.

FC Masar earned their spot in the CAF Women’s Champions League after securing second place in the North African qualifiers with big wins over Tunisia’s ASF Sousse (7-0) and Algeria’s CF Akbou (4-2), losing only to AS FAR. This semifinal marked their second meeting with the Moroccan champions.

FC Masar are set to face EDO Queens in a showdown for the tournament’s bronze medal. This will be their second time facing the Nigerian club after their goalless draw in the group stage. The match will take place on November 22nd at 7 PM Cairo time.

AS FAR will now start preparing for the final where they will face TP Mazembe. The Moroccan side will certainly be looking to replicate their success in the 2022 edition of the competition.