CAF Confederation Cup
VIDEO: ENYIMBA, OTHERS IN FAIRY TALES AND COMEBACKS ON THE ROAD TO SEMIS
Nigeria’s Enyimba and three other clubs have titanic battles on Sunday as the second legs of the CAF Confederation Cup hold.
With two sides on the brink of last four places after convincing away victories, there will be more to watch on Sunday when the second leg matches of the CAF Confederation Cup 2019/20 quarterfinals take place across the continent
Moroccan side Hassania Agadir and Egyptian side Pyramids have an obvious advantage when they entertain Libya’s Al Nasr and Zambia’s Zanaco respectively, having won away from home by wide margins. Meanwhile, last season’s losing finalists RS Berkane will host Al Masry having held them to an away draw; the same scenario for Guinea’s Horoya against Nigerian visitors Enyimba.
The aggregate winners will progress to reach the semifinals, with hopes of a maiden CAF Confederation Cup title the biggest inspiration for the octet.
Pyramids (Egypt) – Zanaco (Zambia) (3-0)
(Sunday 08.03.2020 – 13:00 GMT, Cairo)
The debutants’ fairytale seems to have another chapter looming, as Pyramids returned from Lusaka with a three goal lead over Zanaco to put a leg into the last four in their first ever CAF appearance. Veteran Abdullah Elsaid put the cherry on top of the cake in Zambia, after Ali Gabr and Mohamed Farouk scored in the opening half, as Pyramids cruised to yet another away victory, their seventh in a row in this campaign.
Despite the fact that they are having their debut continental participation, Pyramids have set themselves as title favorites. Zanaco are facing an uphill to climb at the Cairo based 30 June Stadium where they need to score at least three unanswered goals to force the game into a shootout. They have to do so against a team that just conceded three times in six CAF home games this season.
Horoya (Guinea) – Enyimba (Nigeria) (1-1)
(Sunday 08.03.2020 – 16:00 GMT, Conakry)
Boniface Haba came from the bench to score 20 minutes from time and cancel Augustine Oladapo’s opener for Enyimba, as Horoya came back from Aba with a precious away 1-1 draw. Two times African champions Enyimba now have to score in Conakry if they are to reach the CAF Confederation Cup semifinal for the second time, after 2018 when they lost to eventual champions Raja of Morocco.
Horoya look favorites to finish the job at their home, Stade du 28 Septembre, where they have won all their 6 CAF matches this season. After reaching the quarterfinals of the premier CAF Champions League in the last two seasons, “H.A.C” are targeting a further step in the second tier continental competition this season.
Hassania Agadir (Morocco) – Al Nasr (Libya) (5-0)
(Sunday 08.03.2020 – 16:00 GMT, Agadir)
Mission looks done and dusted for Hassania Agadir who returned from Egyptian capital Cairo with a five goal lead over hosts Al Nasr. Karim El Berkaoui’s hat-trick coupled with Malick Cisse’s brace gave “HUSA” a commanding away lead that they look poised to defend at home and grab their semifinal ticket.
Al Nasr who are forced to play away from their Benghazi base due to security concerns in Libya reached the quarterfinals for the first time in their history, and were hoping of a further step. But they had to wake up against a resolute Hassania side, that are looking for their first ever continental glory after being eliminated from last season’s quarterfinals against eventual champions Zamalek of Egypt.
RS Berkane (Morocco) – Al Masry (Egypt) (2-2)
(Sunday 08.03.2020 – 19:00 GMT, Berkane)
After last season’s heartbreaking final defeat on penalties, RS Berkane are aiming for another shot on the second tier continental club competition yet again. They are one step away from the semifinals, after returning from Egypt with a 2-2 away draw against Al Masry.
Veteran Mohssine Iajour scored a brace before and after Muftah Taktak and an own goal from his goalkeeper Zouheir Laaroubi, as the Suez duel between both sides ended in a 2-2 draw; a result that may favor “The Oranges” to settle things at Stade Municipal de Berkane. Al Masry need to score and avoid conceding away if they are to repeat their 2018 feat when they reached the semis before bowing to DR Congo’s AS Vita then.
-CAF
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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