CAF Confederation Cup
ENYIMBA DRAW TWO FORMER CHAMPIONS IN TOUGH CONFEDERATION LEAGUE FIXTURES
Enyimba of Nigeria are one of the three former African club champions drawn together in Group A of this season’s Confederation Cup. The two other elite league winners with Enyimba are Orlando Pirates and Algeria’s Entente Setif.
South Africa’s Orlando Pirates won the continental title in 1995 while Entente Setif just like Nigeria’s Enyimba, have won the crown twice.
They are joined in Group A by Libya’s Al Ahly Benghazi in the continent’s second-tier club competition.
The group-stage matches are due to begin next month with the top two in each group progressing to the quarter-finals.
- Group A: Al Ahly Benghazi (Libya), Orlando Pirates (South Africa), Enetente Setif (Algeria), Enyimba (Nigeria)
- Group B: Napsa Stars (Zambia), Coton Sport (Cameroon), JS Kabylie (Algeria), RS Berkane (Morocco)
- Group C: Jaaraf (Senegal), Salitas (Burkina Faso) CS Sfaxien (Tunisia) Etoile/Young Buffaloes
- Group D: Namungo/Primeiro Agosto, Nkana FC (Zambia), Pyramids (Egypt), Raja Casablanca (Morocco)
Morocco’s Renaissance Berkane will continue the defence of their title in Group B alongside Zambia’s Napsa Stars, Coton Sport of Cameroon and Algeria’s JS Kabylie, who have also twice been African Champions.
The Confederation Cup’s most successful club is Tunisia’s CS Sfaxien, who have lifted the trophy three times, are in Group C and know they will definitely face with Senegal’s Jaaraf and Salitas of Burkina Faso.
The other team in the group will either be Etoile du Sahel or Eswatini’s Young Buffaloes, the second leg of their play-off takes place on Monday with the Tunisian side holding a 2-1 lead from the first leg.
There is one other match to be played to decide the final place in Group D with Tanzanian club Namungo the firm favourites to clinch the spot after beating Angola’s Primeiro Agosto 6-2 in the first leg on Sunday.
The tie was delayed when Covid-19 forced the game in Angola to be called off before the Confederation of African Football agreed that both games could be played in Tanzania.
Awaiting the winners in Group D are Zambia’s Nkana, Pyramids from Egypt and Moroccan side Raja Casablanca.
Confederation Cup play-off results – second legs:
- US Monastir (Tunisia) 1-0 Raja Casablanca (Morocco)
- 1-1 on aggregate Raja progress 6-5 on penalties
- Napsa Stars (Zambia) 2-2 Gor Mahia (Kenya)
- Napsa Stars progress 3-2 on aggregate
- DC Motema Pembe (DR Congo) 1-1 Al Ahly Benghazi (Libya)
- 2-2 on aggregate Ahly progress 8-7 on penalties
- Coton Sport (Cameroon) 1-0 Sonidep (Niger)
- Coton Sport progress 2-0 on aggregate
- Rivers Utd (Nigeria) 1-0 Enyimba (Nigeria)
- 1-1 on aggregate Enyimba progress 5-4 on penalties
- Orlando Pirates (South Africa) 1-0 Jwaneng Galaxy (Botswana)
- Pirates progress 4-0 on aggregate
- JS Kabylie (Algeria) 1-0 Stade Malien (Mali)
- 2-2 on aggregate Kabylie progress on away goals
- Pyramids (Egypt) 2-0 Racing Abidjan (Ivory Coast)
- Pyramids progress 4-0 on aggregate
- Jaraaf (Senegal) 1-0 Platinum (Zimbabwe)
- Jaraaf progress 2-0 on aggregate
- Entente Setif (Algeria) 0-0 Asante Kotoko (Ghana)
- Setif progress 2-1 on aggregate
- Salitas (Burkina Faso) 3-1 Bouenguidi (Gabon)
- Salitas progress 3-2 on aggregate
- Tihad Casablanca (Morocco) 2-1 Nkana (Zambia)
- Nkana progress 3-2 on aggregate
- 22/02/21: Etoile du Sahel (Tunisia) v Young Buffaloes (Eswatini)
- Etoile lead 2-1 on aggregate
- AS Kigali (Rwanda) 1-1 CS Sfaxien (Tunisia)
- Sfaxien progress 5-2 on aggregate
First leg:
- Primeiro Agosto (Angola) 2-6 Namungo (Tanzania) Caf ordered Primeiro to stage home leg in Tanzania after Angolan authorities prevented Namungo playing in Luanda last weekend
Bye:
- Renaissance Berkane (Morocco, holders)
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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