CAF Confederation Cup
CONFEDERATION CUP MATCH DAY 2 THROWS UP TITANIC CLASHES
Action returns in the 2019-20 Total CAF Confederation Cup this Sunday when match day 2 games take place across the continent.
The opening day matches saw some intriguing encounters, with 18 goals scored in eight games, four of which ending in stalemate.
There will be a place for regional derbies, especially in Group D when Northern neighbors Paradou of Algeria and Hassania Agadir of Morocco lock horns in Blida, while Western sides Enyimba of Nigeria and San Pedro of Cote d’Ivoire face in Aba.
Following are some facts about Match Day 2 games:
Al Masry v Enugu Rangers December 8, 2019
- This is the first CAF Confederation Cup encounter between Al Masry and Enugu Rangers. o Al Masry scored three goals against Nouadhibou on CAF Confederation Cup MD1, the most goals they’ve ever scored in a single game in the competition and more than in in their previous four games combined (2).
- Enugu Rangers have lost four of their last five CAF Confederation Cup group stage matches (D1), failing to score more than once in each contest.
Pyramids FC v Nouadhibou
- Pyramids FC became the first CAF Confederation Cup side to be awarded two penalties in the same match since Étoile du Sahel in April 2019 against Al-Hilal Omdurman (three penalties).
- Nouadhibou’s Ezechiel Depode had more combined tackles (5) and interceptions (4) on CAF Confederation Cup MD1 than any other player (9).
- Islam Eissa was directly involved in two of Pyramids FC’s three goals on CAF Confederation Cup MD1, assisting the Egyptian side’s second goal and scoring the third from the penalty spot.
Zanaco v RS Berkane
- Zanaco will be facing Moroccan opponents for the second occasion in the CAF Confederation Cup group stage – meeting FUS Rabat in 2010, losing 1-0 away whilst drawing 1-1 at home.
- RS Berkane’s Omar Namsaoui created seven chances against ESAE on CAF Confederation Cup MD1; two more than any other player. In fact, it is the most by a player in the competition since Namsaoui himself created eight chances against Zamalek in May 2019.
- Zanaco’s Souleymanou Moussa recorded more shots (9) and shots on target (5) than any other player on CAF Confederation Cup MD1, although the attacker only converted one of his chances
ESAE v Motema Pembe
- Motema Pembe will be facing Beninese opponents in the CAF Confederation Cup group stage for the first time, the fifth different nation they will have faced.
- ESAE suffered the biggest margin of defeat on CAF Confederation Cup MD1 (0-3), with the Benin side recording the lowest possession figures (37.1%) and no side recording fewer shots (4).
- William Likuta Luezi had more shots (4) and created more chances (5) than any other of his Motema Pembe teammates on CAF Confederation Cup MD1, with the winger also providing the assist for Peter Kolawole’s goal.
Djoliba v Bidvest Wits
- Djoliba will be facing South African opponents in the CAF Confederation Cup group stage for the first time, the ninth different nation they will have faced.
- Bidvest Wits whipped in 26 crosses from open play on CAF Confederation Cup MD1; four more than any other side. However, they failed to convert any of their six successful crosses into goals, drawing 0-0.
- Only Zanaco’s Souleymanou Moussa (5) had more shots on target on CAF
Confederation Cup MD1 than Djoliba’s El Hadji Bah (3).
Horoya v Al-Nasr Benghazi
- Horoya have kept a clean sheet in four of their last five CAF Confederation Cup group stage matches (W2 D2 L1), although they’ve failed to score themselves in two of the last three.
- No player was fouled on more occasions on CAF Confederation Cup MD1 than Horoya‘s Aristide Bancé (5). However, teammate Morlaye Sylla committed six fouls; no player gave away more on MD1.
- Al-Nasr Benghazi defender Abdalla Sherif made more tackles than any other player on CAF Confederation Cup MD1 (6). Sherif also made five clearances and two interceptions in his team’s 1-1 draw.
Enyimba International v San Pédro
- Enyimba International will be facing opponents from Côte d’Ivoire for the second occasion in the CAF Confederation Cup group stage – meeting Williamsville AC in 2018, losing 2-0 away whilst winning 1-0 at home.
- Enyimba International have lost each of their last three CAF Confederation Cup matches; more than in their first eight in the competition (W5 D1 L2).
- Last time out, Pacôme Agboke became the first player to miss a penalty in the CAF Confederation Cup since Étoile du Sahel’s Yassine Chikhaoui in April 2019, the previous six penalties had been converted in the competition.
Paradou AC v Hassania Agadir
- Algerian sides are yet to record a victory against Moroccan opponents in six CAF Confederation Cup matches (D3 L3), drawing each of the last three.
- Hassania Agadir have never won an away game in the CAF Confederation Cup (D1 L3), scoring just one goal in those four matches on the road.
- Hassania Agadir’s Mehdi Oubilla had more touches (102), passes (89) and successful passes (83) than any other player on CAF Confederation Cup MD1.
CAF Confederation Cup
Shooting Stars, Ikorodu City, in Winner-Takes-All Quest for Confederation Cup ticket
By Kunle Solaja.
The battle for the Nigeria Premier Football League’s remaining CAF Confederation Cup ticket will go down to the wire on the final day of the season, with Shooting Stars and Ikorodu City locked in a tense race for third place.
While title contenders, Enugu Rangers International and Rivers United, have already secured Nigeria’s slots in next season’s CAF Champions League, the contest for the Confederation Cup place remains delicately poised.
Shooting Stars currently occupy third position with 60 points, holding a narrow two-point advantage over fourth-placed Ikorodu City, who sit on 58 points ahead of the 24 May decisive fixtures.
The Ibadan side is in pole position and needs only to avoid defeat away to Niger Tornadoes to confirm a return to continental football next season.
However, Ikorodu City still has a fighting chance of snatching the ticket.
The Lagos-based club must defeat title-chasing Rangers and hope Shooting Stars stumble against Niger Tornadoes to overturn the deficit and leapfrog the Oluyole Warriors into third place.
Their clash against Rangers is expected to rank among the standout fixtures of the final day, with both teams carrying huge ambitions into the encounter.
For Ikorodu City, the situation revives painful memories from last season when they chased a continental ticket from two fronts but ended up empty-handed.
The club narrowly missed out on third place after suffering a heavy 4-1 defeat to eventual champions Remo Stars in Ikenne on the final day, despite taking the lead in the encounter. The result pushed them down to fourth position.
Their hopes of reaching the continent through the Federation Cup also ended in heartbreak after a penalty shootout loss to Abakaliki FC in the semi-finals following a goalless draw.
Now, with another opportunity within reach, Ikorodu City will hope fortune finally smiles on them as they seek what would be a historic continental qualification.
With the title race, continental qualification battle, and survival struggles all still unresolved, the final day of the NPFL season is set to deliver tension and drama across the country.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Hosts USM Alger converted a controversial stoppage-time penalty to edge Egyptian giants Zamalek 1-0 in Saturday’s first leg of the African Confederation Cup final at the Stade du 5 Juillet in the Algerian capital Algiers.
Ahmed Khaldi converted the spot kick after Zamalek thought they had snatched a late winner through Brazilian substitute Juan Alvina, who ran half the length of the pitch to tuck away a superb individual effort.
But the strike was ruled out, and play was brought back for a foul in the build-up when VAR found Hossam Abdelmaguid had caught Rayane Mahrouz with a knee in the back.
Early in the second half, Zamalek’s Angolan import Chico Banza had a looping effort over USMA goalkeeper Oussama Benbot cleared off the line by defender Hocine Dehiri
USMA enjoyed fervent support but will now be up against it in Cairo when Zamalek host the second leg next Saturday.
Zamalek previously won the Confederation Cup in 2019 and 2024, while USMA were victors in 2023.
-Reuters
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Two of Africa’s most decorated clubs will renew their continental ambitions on Saturday when USM Alger host Zamalek SC in the first leg of the 2025/26 CAF Confederation Cup final in Algiers.
The eagerly anticipated showdown at the Stade 5 Juillet 1962 is expected to set the tone for what promises to be another fiercely contested final in Africa’s secondary club competition, with not only continental prestige at stake but also a record first prize of USD 4 million for the eventual winners.
USM Alger, champions in 2023, will be aiming to reclaim the title they won after edging Tanzania’s Young Africans on away goals in a dramatic two-legged final. The Algerian side booked their place in this season’s final through another tense away-goals triumph, eliminating Morocco’s Olympic Club Safi after a 1-1 aggregate draw.
For Zamalek, the final presents an opportunity to further cement their reputation as one of Africa’s elite clubs. The Egyptian giants lifted the Confederation Cup in 2019 and again in 2024, beating Morocco’s RS Berkane on both occasions after nail-biting aggregate scorelines.
The White Knights also had to navigate a difficult semi-final path this season, edging fellow Algerian side CR Belouizdad 1-0 on aggregate thanks to a crucial away victory inspired by Brazilian forward Juan Alvina.
Recent history suggests little will separate the two finalists. Several Confederation Cup finals in recent years have been decided on away goals or penalties, and another tight contest is widely expected over the two legs.
Saturday’s opening encounter in Algiers will be officiated by Mauritanian referee Dahane Beida, while Gabonese official Pierre Atcho will handle the decisive return leg in Cairo on 16 May.
With a passionate home crowd expected behind them, USM Alger will look to establish an advantage before travelling to the intimidating atmosphere of Cairo International Stadium for the second leg.
Zamalek, however, arrive with vast continental experience and a proven ability to thrive under pressure in away fixtures, setting the stage for a compelling battle between North African heavyweights.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
NFF’s ‘Seeding Formula’ Revives Excitement in Federation Cup
Maikaba Begins Flying Eagles Rebuild, Invites 35 Players to Camp
Falconets Land in Group of Fire at FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup
Breaking! Uzoho suspended from Super Eagles’ next match with Sierra Leone
No longer Super League as CAF changes name of its new clubs competition
NIGERIAN FOOTBALL CHIEF EXECUTIVE, SANUSI CHARGES NIGERIAN COACHES TO BE UPRIGHT, DILIGENT
- World Cup1 week ago
FIFA Plans Three Opening Ceremonies in All Host Nations for 2026 World Cup
- World Cup6 days ago
United States Unveils Hollywood-Style FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony
- World Cup7 days ago
Mexico president wavers on plan to cut school year by 40 days for the World Cup
- World Cup1 week ago
Burna Boy Joins Shakira for Official 2026 World Cup Song ‘Dai Dai’
- World Cup2 days ago
US drops bond requirement for World Cup ticket holders
- Nigerian Football4 days ago
NPFL at 36: From Long Debate to Nigeria’s Football Showpiece
- Nigerian Football3 days ago
NPFL at 36: Why Nigeria’s League Top Scorers Rarely Become Super Eagles Legends
- World Cup3 days ago
Magic Johnson Leads Campaign to Showcase Los Angeles Ahead of World Cup