CAF Confederation Cup
Akwa Ibom promise hitch-free and fun-filled Confederation Cup final experience
Organisers are applying final touches in some areas in Uyo ahead of Friday’s long-awaited final of Africa’s second-biggest club competition, the CAF Confederation Cup.
The showdown between South Africa’s Orlando Pirates and Morocco’s RS Berkane will be played at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in the Akwa Ibom state capital, in Nigeria and will kick-off at 20h00 local time (19h00 GMT).
Uyo and Godswill Akpabio Stadium will be the first Nigerian city and stadium to host either the final of the Confederations Cup or the Champions League since Heartland hosted the latter in 2009.
Before Uyo 2022, Nigeria previously through Lagos hosted the 1975 and 1984 CAF Champions League finals, followed by Ibadan in 1988 and 1996 before Aba in 2003 and 2004, then recently Owerri in 2009 after Port Harcourt hosted the CAF Confederation Cup final in 2005.
City Presentation and Preparation
It is the first intercontinental major Cup final to be hosted in Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital and the home of Professional Football League side Akwa United.
Following the confirmation of Uyo by CAF, the locals could not hide their joy ahead of the highly anticipated Confederation Cup final, including General Coordinator of the LOC, Paul Bassey.
“Aƙwa Ibom is glad to represent Nigeria in this regard,” Bassey, who doubles as Akwa United chairman told CAFOnline.com.
“This is a continental assignment and Akwa Ibom had to do it on behalf of Nigeria and this stadium apart from being one of the best in Africa, it’s also the best in the country.
“When CAF came to Uyo, they saw that it was fit enough to host, and it’s not only about the stadium, the Ibom Specialist Hospital is world class, then, of course, the hotels we have 5 stars. “Also the airport facility among others and then the experience because we have hosted big games before, for Uyo people, this is huge and we have that culture of coming out in a mass.”
Stadium and security
Launched in 2014, the Godswill Akpabio Stadium is a 30000-capacity seater modelled after the Allianz Arena in Germany and has served as the home to the Nigerian Super Eagles.
It is arguably the most beautiful stadium in Nigeria situated in Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Boulevard, Uyo and notably, referred to as The Nest of Champions. The ultra-modern sports complex boasts bulletproof VIP and VVIP areas, natural grass, high-tech floodlights, a training pitch, a helipad, and collapsible seats. For security, It has 30 emergency exit points, closed-circuit security cameras, stand by firefighting equipment and metal detectors.
-Cafonline
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
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.
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.
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