CAF Confederation Cup

Algeria’s USM may forfeit Confederation Cup duel to Morocco’s RS Berkane

Published

5 months ago

April 22, 2024

RS Berkane players stranded at the Houari Boumediene Airport in Algeria

The anticipated tense Confederation Cup first leg semi-final fixture of USM Alger and Morocco’s RS Berkane did not hold as scheduled on Sunday night following the confiscation of the Moroccan team’s jerseys and equipment by the Algerian authorities despite CAF’s spirited efforts to see the items released.

The Confederation has now issued a statement that the matter has been referred to the ‘competent bodies’. CAF apologized for any inconvenience caused to their sponsors, TV partners and the supporters.

It is most likely that the Algerian team would forfeit the match. The Algerians lately have turned the African football arena into political field such that the Moroccan team as defending champions of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) were denied entry to defend their title last year in Algeria.

Similarly, in the quarter-finals of the CAF Confederation Cup with Nigeria’s Rivers United, the Algerians frustrated the use of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) by confisticating the CAF equipment.

CAF issued the following statement over the incident early this month: “Due to circumstances beyond CAF’s control, there will be no Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology at the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup fixture USM Alger and Rivers United in Algeria today.

“For the last few days, CAF has been negotiating with Algerian Authorities to release the VAR equipment that has been kept by Authorities at the entry Port in Oran, Algeria since Wednesday morning.

“Regrettably, the VAR equipment was only released at 19h30 today making it impossible to drive the 400km distance between Oran and Algiers and make it on time for the match.”

CAF Confederation Cup

Enyimba drawn against Etoile de Filante in Confederation Cup

Published

2 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.

CAF Confederation Cup

Again, Benin overcomes Nigeria as El Kanemi crashes out of Confederation Cup

Published

3 weeks ago

August 24, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Just two months after Benin Republic recorded their first ever defeat of the Nigerian national football team, Super Eagles, a Benin club, Dadje has knocked out one of Nigeria’s representatives from the CAF Confederation Cup – El Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri.

Dadje won 2-1 to get a 3-2 aggregate win after the first leg played last week ended 1-1.

CAF Confederation Cup

Benin Republic offers 8,000 free tickets to boost support for Dadje FC over El Kanemi

Published

3 weeks ago

August 24, 2024

Kunle Solaja

One of Nigeria’s representatives in the CAF Confederation Cup, El Kanemi Warriors have a mountain to climb as they face Dadje FC this evening at the General Mathieu Kerekou Stadium in Cotonou.

Their hosts, Dadje FC carry a slight advantage into the match after obtaining a 1-1 draw last weekend in Ikenne.

A goalless draw is enough for them to sail into the second round. But not leaving anything to chances,massive home support is being planned for them as the Benin FA offered 8,000 free tickets to fans.

Dadjè FC, the Benin league runners-up escaped with a precious 1-1 draw against the El Kanemi Warriors of Nigeria.

Thanks to added time, it would have been a different story for El Kanemi who only achieved parity in the sixth minute of added time.

They had conceded a goal earlier when Salassi Bless put the Beninese ahead. El Kanemi will have to score and win this evening if they are to join Enyimba in the second round.