CAF Confederation Cup

BANTU PLANS UPSET OF RANGERS IN CAF CONFEDERATION CUP

Published

6 years ago

January 12, 2019

Bantu coach James Madidilane is confident his side will rise to the occasion when they host Nigeria’s Enugu Rangers in the first leg tie of the CAF Confederations Cup play-offs scheduled for Setsoto Stadium in Maseru on Sunday.

The second leg will be played in the West African country on January 20^th.

The Lesotho champions will be looking to write a new chapter of their history by beating the Nigerian giants to boost their chances of qualifying for the group stage.

Bantu were automatically relegated to the Confederations Cup after losing 5-2 on aggregate to AS VITA Club in the last round of the CAF Champions League.

They had become the first Lesotho side in almost two decades to make it past the preliminary round of the Champions League having knocked-out Township Rollers of Botswana.

“We wanted to make it to the group stages of the CAF Champions League, but that did not work out and we have another opportunity in the Confederations Cup,” Madidilane said.

“It was a bit of history for us to become the first team from Lesotho to get past the preliminary round in almost 20-years, but I feel this team should have achieved more.

“We know that Rangers are a tough side, but we have the home ground advantage in the first leg match and should make good use of it because it’s going to be very tough when we go to Nigeria.

“The big motivation for us will be to make it to the group stage and make our country proud.”

Bantu wade into the first leg tie with a clean bill of health.DRAFT DISCUSSION

CAF Confederation Cup

Good start for Confederation Cup defending champions, Zamalek

Published

5 days ago

September 14, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Zamalek commenced their CAF Confederation Cup journey with a 1-0 win over Kenya’s Police in the initial leg of the second preliminary round held in Nairobi this Saturday.

Veteran winger Abdallah El-Saied secured the win for the Whites with a precise strike from outside the box just a minute before halftime.

The Cairo giants, winners of the 2023-2024 CAF Confederation Cup title, started the match with relentless pressure on the hosts to clinch victory in the first leg and alleviate pressure before the upcoming return fixture in Cairo next Friday.

“The most important thing for us was to win and achieve our target,” Zamalek coach Gomes said after the game.

Hosts Police FC of Kenya could not breach Zamalek’s resolute defense in search of an equalizer.

Despite notable summer acquisitions, Zamalek’s coach Jose Gomes opted for a standard lineup, integrating young talents in lieu of seasoned players.

“We are now stronger than the previous season, thanks to spending more time with the team and preparing to play in the tournaments that we will participate in,” the Portuguese coach added.

Conversely, Kenya’s Police FC squandered a clear scoring opportunity against Zamalek, missing a crucial chance fifteen minutes before the final whistle, dashing hopes of leveling the score.

Kenya’s Police FC earned their place in this round following a hard-fought 1-0 aggregate victory over Ethiopia Coffee SC.

-Ahram

CAF Confederation Cup

Enyimba continues unbeaten run against Burkina Faso clubs

Published

6 days ago

September 13, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Nigeria’s Enyimba played a thrilling 0-0 draw with Burkina Faso’s Etoile Filante in the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup second round tie in Bamako on Friday.

There have been three previous confrontation with Burkina Faso teams and this Friday encounter was the second time that Enyimba had had to face Etoile Filante.

According to facts supplied by Opta Nigeria, Etoile Filante were Enyimba’s first ever opponent on the continent 22 years ago in March 2002. Ever since, Enyimba have played 157 times on the continent; the highest by any Nigerian club.

Enyimba carry their advantage to the return leg to be played on 22 September.

CAF Confederation Cup

Enyimba drawn against Etoile de Filante in Confederation Cup

Published

3 weeks ago

August 26, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Nigeria’s sole survivors in the CAF Confederation Cup,Enyimba will face Burkina Faso sides, Etoile de Filante in the second round of the competition.

Enyimba drew bye in the preliminary round while the Burkina Faso team reached the second round after eliminating Hafia of Guinea.

Enyimba, second runners-up in the Nigerian League will be attempting to win the Confederation Cup for the first time for Nigeria as they did in the Champions League 21 years ago.