CAF Confederation Cup
Confederation Cup’s last 8 standing know rout to title today
The draw for the quarter-finals of the 2024/25CAF Confederation Cup will take place in Doha, Qatar on Thursday, where the eight remaining sides will learn their path to the final.
The draw will be held at the world-class beIN SPORTS studios from 16h00 Cairo time (14h00 GMT).
The four group winners will be drawn against the four runners-up, though they cannot meet the team who advanced to the knockout stage from their pool. The draw for the semi-finals will be conducted at the same time.
Here is a look at the eight remaining teams in the competition.
GROUP WINNERS
SIMBA SC
Country: Tanzania
Coach: Fadlu Davids (South Africa)
Best finish: Quarter-finals 2021-22Simba will be hoping for their best-ever finish in the CAF Confederation Cup having topped their pool with an impressive haul of 13 points from a possible 18.
They were quarter finalists in 2021-22 and did reach the final of the of CAF Cup in 1993, but have yet to lift a continental title.
They have young South African coach Fadlu Davids in charge and he has impressed since joining in July 2024.
RS BERKANE
Country: Morocco
Coach: Mouin Chaâbani (Tunisia)
Best finish: Winners 2019-20, 2021-22The Moroccan side have enjoyed huge success in the CAF Confederation Cup in the recent past having been to four finals in the previous six seasons, winning two of those. Having been edged by Zamalek in the decider last year they will be keen to get back there again.
They managed 16 points in the pool stage, more than any other club and conceded only one goal in their six games
USM ALGER
Country: Algeria
Coach: Marcos Paquetá (Brazil)
Best finish: Winners 2022-23
USMAlger were champions as recently as 2022-23 and followed that up with a semi-final showing last season.
They have the form forward through the group stages in Ismaïl Belkacemi, who netted five goals as they managed 14 in all, the most of any team.
They have recently unveiled the Brazilian Marcos Paquetá as their new coach, who has a long history coaching in Africa, including with Zamalek and most recently CR Belouizdad.
ZAMALEK SC
Country: Egypt
Coach: José Peseiro (Portugal)
Best finish: Winners 2018–19, 2023–24
The reigning champions will be in search of back-to-back titles and breezed through the group stages unbeaten with 14 points from a possible 18.
They also have a new coach in former Nigeria tactician José Peseiro, who replaced Christian Gross in the last week.
The Portuguese is a former Al Ahly coach and led the Super Eagles to the final of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Cote d’Ivoire 2023.
GROUP RUNNERS-UP
AL MASRY FC
Country: Egypt
Coach: Ali Maher (Egypt)
Best finish: Semi-finals 2018Al Masry finished runners-up to Egyptian rivals Zamalek in their pool as they took nine points.
They were semi-finalists in this competition in 2018 but lost out to AS Vita Club and will be seeking to reach a first continental final this year.
They also reached the quarterfinals in both 2019-20 and 2021-22, but on both occasions lost out to Morocco’s RS Berkane.
ASEC MIMOSAS
Country: Cote d’Ivoire
Coach: Julien Chevalier (France)
Best finish: Semi-finals 2022-23ASEC Mimosas edged Senegalese side ASC Jaraaf on head-to-head to claim second spot in their pool behind USM Alger.
They had two wins, two draws and two defeats, boosted by a solid home record but not so flash on the road.
They reached the semi-finals in 2022-23 but lost out to USM Alger, who have become a familiar foe.
Their coach Julien Chevalier has been in charge of the side since 2019 and has developed a strong squad.
CS CONSTANTINE
Country: Algeria
Coach: Kheïreddine Madoui (Algeria)
Best finish: Second round 2014, 2016CS Constantine managed a strong pool campaign that garnered them 12 points but finished runners-up to Simba SC.
It is a good outcome for a club in its debut group stage campaign having suffered two second-round exits in 2014 and 2016. They are coached by Kheïreddine Madoui, who is in his second spell with the team.
STELLENBOSCH FC
Country: South Africa
Coach: Steve Barker (South Africa)
Best finish: DebutAmbitious Stellenbosch FC are in their maiden season in CAF Interclub football and came through a difficult pool by finishing runners-up to RS Berkane.
They are a team packed with good young talent, who will have been on a steep learning curve this season.
Their coach Steve Barker is the nephew of legendary former South Africa tactician Clive Barker and has developed a strong reputation in his own right.
-CAF
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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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