CAF Confederation Cup
CAF CUP: RANGERS RESUME TRAINING AFTER YULETIDE BREAK
Rangers International Football Club of Enugu have resumed training for the Confederation of African Football (CAF) cup and the forthcoming Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).
Rangers’ next opponent in the Confederation cup is Bantu Football Club of Lesotho and the first leg of the second round will be played on Jan. 13.
The club Spokesperson, Norbert Okolie, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu yesterday, saying that the players are back to training.
“We resumed training on Tuesday, Jan. 1, in the evening after the seven days Yuletide break and the most aspect of it was that the players were back injury free.
“Our Confederation cup first leg of the second round against Bantu FC will come up on Jan. 13, in Lesotho and we will approach it with seriousness.
“The players and technical crew were given 24 hours to settle down after the break which ended on Dec. 30, and after that we swear into training because we do not want to underrate any club,’’ he said.
Okolie said that the players have promised to take-off from where they stop in 2018 with more seriousness knowing that any clubs that reached this stage of the competition is not a push over.
“We are expecting a tough match against the club from Lesotho and that is why we are taking our preparation serious to ensure that we made it to the group stage,’’ Okolie said.
He noted that the club still has the ambition of going all the way to the final of the competition to ensure that the country lost slots were restored.
The media officer appreciated the players for their doggedness in the field of play in 2018 which takes the club through to the stage they are in the competition and urged them to put more efforts in 2019.
The club also wishes the people of the Enugu State and its numerous fans all over the country and world a happy return from the Yuletide celebration.
Okolie prayed that God of soccer who negotiated the way for them and the Lobi Stars FC of Makurdi to the stage they are to continue his good work.
NAN reports that Rangers edged out Union Sportive Medinat Bel Abbes (USMBA) of Algeria in the first round on 2-0 aggregate in Enugu after 0-0 score line in Algeria in the first leg.
Moroccan side, Renaissance Sportive de Berkane secured a third continental title after drawing against Tanzania’s Simba Sports Club (2-0 in the first leg, 1-1 in the return).
Moroccan football’s representatives had the privilege of being the first to lift the new CAF trophy.
It is the fifth time they have played the final match of the competition, and they were successful in 2020 and 2022. In the return leg of the final match this Sunday, Berkane overcame challenges put in their way ahead of the match at the Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar.
The match got off to a flying start, with the hosts dominating, determined to open the scoring in the opening minutes of play. Once again, Berkane retreated into defence, a far cry from the spirit displayed in the first leg.
It took about fifteen minutes for Mouine Chaâbani’s men to truly get into the game.
While they launched their first dangerous attack, a missed opportunity in front of the opposing goal cost them dearly. On the ensuing counterattack, Simba’s Zambian striker, Joshua Mutale, beat goalkeeper Munir Mohamedi in the 17th minute.
The second half resumed with the same intensity, but the tension rose, especially after Simba attacking midfielder Yusuph Kagoma was sent off for a second yellow card.
Berkane then took a numerical advantage and regained control of the game.
Stung to the quick, the home side continued to engage in skirmishes, but without any real threat to goalkeeper Munir Mohamedi.
Yet, even with ten men down, Simba’s players gave the Berkanis a hard time, posing several threats.
Deliverance finally came in the 93rd minute thanks to Mamadou Lamine Camara, who scored the equaliser, in a closely contested duel, in a packed stadium, and under the eyes of Fouzi Lekjaa, president of the FRMF, as well as Walid Regragui, national coach.
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RS Berkane head coach Moine Chaabani says his side is fully focused and prepared for Sunday’s second leg of the Confederation Cup final against Tanzania’s Simba SC, as they seek to secure a third continental title.
The Moroccan club takes a 2-0 lead into the return leg at Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar following an early double from Mamadou Camara and Oussama Lamlaoui in the first leg in Berkane.
Speaking ahead of the crucial clash, Chaabani emphasized that his players have left nothing to chance.
“We are focused on the match, and we must adapt to all circumstances, no matter how difficult,” he said during the pre-match press conference.
“We came here to play a 90-minute match, and there is no room for distraction.”
The Tunisian tactician, who led the team to last year’s final only to suffer defeat against Zamalek, underlined the hunger within the squad to go one step further this time.
“We have worked hard since that disappointment, and today we are even more determined to win the title and bring the cup back to Morocco.”
RS Berkane will be boosted by the availability of key players Haitham Manout and Paul Valery, although final decisions on their involvement will be made after the last training session.
“All players are present. The decision on their participation will depend on their readiness,” he added.
Chaabani also pointed to his side’s growing experience in navigating difficult African environments, saying they are mentally conditioned for the high-stakes occasion.
“We have a strong immune system to handle these conditions, and we will manage our physical effort according to the match’s progress,” he said.
“We hope to rise to the occasion and succeed in pleasing the Berkane fans, who always support us, to win the title.”
The return leg kicks off at 13:00 GMT on Sunday. A draw or even a narrow defeat by a one-goal margin will be enough for Berkane to lift the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup trophy.
-CAF
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Following a 2-0 win for RS Berkane over Simba SC in the first leg of the 2024-25 CAF Confederation Cup Final in Berkane, Morocco, attention will turn to the return fixture on the island of Zanzibar this Sunday.
The match will be played at Amaan Stadium at 16h00 local time (13h00 GMT) and will be live across all CAF’s broadcast partners, including Azam Media, beIN Sport, Canal+, SuperSport, SABC and several other global platforms.
RS Berkane go to the second leg with the advantage after early goals from Mamadou Camara and Oussama Lamlaoui at home, but Simba SC have shown plenty of fighting spirit already this campaign and will be confident of overturning the deficit.
The winners of this year’s CAF Confederation Cup will be awarded a new trophy that will be unveiled later this week.
CAF and host club Simba SC are working closely together to ensure that the event in Zanzibar is a success.
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