CAF Confederation Cup
Simba open group stage campaign with narrow win over Bravos do Maquis
Tanzanian giants Simba SC began their CAF Confederation Cup group stage campaign on a winning note, edging Angola’s Bravos do Maquis 1-0 at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday.
Jean Ahoua’s first-half penalty proved decisive in a hard-fought encounter that left the Tanzanian side on top of Group A after the first game.
Simba SC capitalized on a defensive lapse by the Angolan side in the 27th minute when Edmilson handled the ball in the penalty area, gifting Simba a chance to break the deadlock.
Ahoua stepped up and calmly converted the penalty, placing it in the top left corner beyond the reach of the goalkeeper.
The goal set the tone for an intense encounter, with both sides showing glimpses of attacking prowess.
Simba, under the guidance of new coach Maahier Davids, maintained pressure but failed to extend their lead, despite Steven Mukwala coming close with multiple attempts in the first half.
The second half saw Bravos do Maquis push for an equalizer, highlighted by a dramatic moment in the 48th minute when Emmanuel Edmond had a penalty saved by Simba’s goalkeeper.
Bravos’ best opportunities came from Jó Paciência and Macaiabo, whose efforts either sailed over or were blocked by Simba’s resilient defense.
Simba’s Joshua Mutale hit the post in the 66th minute, coming agonizingly close to doubling the lead.
Substitutions from both sides added fresh energy, but neither team could find the back of the net in the latter stages.
Simba’s defense, marshaled by Shomari Kapombe and Mohamed Hussein, stood firm in the dying moments as Bravos pushed for a late equalizer.
The Tanzanian side’s composure under pressure ensured they secured all three points to kick off their campaign in Group A.
The result places Simba SC at the summit of Group A ahead of the group’s other clash between Tunisia’s CS Sfaxien and Algeria’s Constantine, scheduled for later on Wednesday.
With such competitive sides in the “Group of Death,” Simba’s opening victory could prove vital in their quest to progress to the knockout stages.
Standings After Matchday 1:
- Simba SC (Tanzania) – 3 points
- CS Sfaxien (Tunisia) – 0 points (yet to play)
- Constantine (Algeria) – 0 points (yet to play)
- Bravos do Maquis (Angola) – 0 points
A high-stakes Moroccan derby between Olympique de Safi and Wydad Casablanca will headline the quarter-final stage of the 2025/26 CAF Confederation Cup, following Tuesday’s draw in Cairo.
The draw ceremony, conducted by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), mapped out the path to the final for the eight remaining contenders, setting up intriguing North African and Central African showdowns.
All-Moroccan Clash Guarantees Semi-Final Spot
Olympique de Safi will host Wydad Casablanca in the first leg of their tie, ensuring that Morocco will have at least one representative in the semi-finals. The clash pits two sides familiar with each other domestically, adding extra intensity to what is already a decisive knockout encounter.
Egyptian and Algerian Heavyweights in Action
Egyptian giants Zamalek SC will begin their campaign away to Congo’s AS Otoho, a tie that sees the five-time African champions seeking another continental crown.
Meanwhile, Al Masry SC will host Algeria’s CR Belouizdad in the first leg, in what promises to be a tightly contested North Africa battle.
In another compelling fixture, AS Maniema Union of the Democratic Republic of Congo will take on Algeria’s USM Alger, as the Congolese side looks to capitalise on home advantage in the opening leg.
Quarter-Final Fixtures
- QF1: Al Masry (Egypt) vs CR Belouizdad (Algeria)
- QF2: Olympique de Safi (Morocco) vs Wydad Casablanca (Morocco)
- QF3: AS Otoho (Congo) vs Zamalek SC (Egypt)
- QF4: AS Maniema Union (DR Congo) vs USM Alger (Algeria)
The quarter-final first legs are scheduled for 15 March, with return fixtures set for 22 March.
Semi-Final Pathway Confirmed
The draw also determined the semi-final bracket:
- SF1: Winner of AS Maniema Union vs USM Alger will host the first leg against the winner of Olympique de Safi vs Wydad Casablanca.
- SF2: Winner of Al Masry vs CR Belouizdad will host the first leg against the winner of AS Otoho vs Zamalek SC.
The semi-finals will be played on 12 April (first leg) and 19 April (second leg).
The team advancing from the semi-finals will host the first leg of the final on 9 May, with the decisive second leg scheduled for 16 May.
With regional rivalries, heavyweight pedigrees, and emerging contenders all in the mix, the knockout stage of the 2025/26 CAF Confederation Cup promises high drama as clubs across North and Central Africa vie for continental glory.
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The Confederation of African Football (CAF) will conduct the quarter-final draws for the 2025/26 editions of its two flagship interclub competitions — the CAF Champions League and the CAF Confederation Cup — on Tuesday, 17 February 2026, at the headquarters of the Egyptian Football Association in Cairo.
The CAF Confederation Cup quarter-final draw is scheduled to begin at 13:00 Cairo time (11:00 GMT), followed by the CAF Champions League quarter-final draw at 14:00 Cairo time (12:00 GMT).
The ceremonies will be broadcast live on CAF’s official YouTube platform, CAF TV, allowing fans across the continent and beyond to follow proceedings in real time.
Road to the Finals Takes Shape
The draws will determine not only the quarter-final pairings but also the pathway to the finals in both competitions, effectively mapping out the remaining knockout journey for Africa’s elite clubs.
With the group stages concluded, the quarter-finals mark the beginning of direct elimination football — a phase traditionally defined by tactical discipline, squad depth and mental resilience. Clubs will be keenly watching the draw to gauge potential heavyweight clashes or favourable routes to the semi-finals.
In the Champions League, former title holders and emerging contenders alike will be hoping to avoid early confrontations against continental heavyweights. Similarly, in the Confederation Cup, where competitive balance has grown in recent seasons, the draw could produce intriguing North-South or West-East showdowns.
Strategic Importance for Clubs
Beyond sporting prestige, progression to the latter stages of CAF competitions carries significant financial incentives, enhanced continental ranking points and increased global visibility. With African club football enjoying expanded broadcast reach and commercial partnerships, success in these tournaments has become both a sporting and economic objective.
Hosting the draws at the Egyptian FA headquarters in Cairo reinforces the city’s status as a nerve centre of African football administration, as clubs await clarity on their next assignments in what promises to be a decisive knockout phase of the 2025/26 campaign.
All eyes will now turn to Cairo as Africa’s road to continental glory becomes clearer.
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CAF Confederation Cup
Zamalek, Kaizer Chiefs Drawn Together as CAF Confederation Cup Group Stage Unveiled
The draw for the group phase of this season’s African Confederation Cup conducted in Johannesburg on Monday:
Group A: USM Alger (Algeria), Djoliba (Mali), Olympique Safi (Morocco), San Pedro (Ivory Coast)
Group B: Azam (Tanzania), Maniema Union (DR Congo), Nairobi United (Kenya), Wydad Casablanca (Morocco)
Group C: Chabab Belouizdad (Algeria), AS Otoho (Congo) Singida Black Stars (Tanzania), Stellenbosch (South Africa)
Group D: Al Masry (Egypt), Kaizer Chiefs (South Africa), Zamalek (Egypt), Zesco United (Zambia)
The top two finishers in each of the four groups advance to the quarter-finals in March.
The group phase starts on Sunday November 23 and will continue through to mid-February.
-Reuters
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