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CAF Confederation Cup

Morocco’s Berkane complete semi-final line-up after winning five-goal thriller

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Moroccan side Renaissance Berkane secured their place in the semi-finals of the  CAF Confederation Cup after winning the second-half five-goal thriller by defeating Libya’s Abu Salim 3-2 on Sunday.


The 2020 and 2022 title winners showcased their resilience in the second-leg game in a thrilling match that saw a total of five goals scored in a single half and also saw two players sent off.


Berkane player Omar El Arjoun and Hossam El Abani of Abu Salim were given their marching orders in stoppage time as both sides fought for victory.


This win for Berkane came after the first leg of the quarter-final match ended in a goalless draw in Benghazi.


Burkina Faso international, Asofu Dayo, was the hero as he scored the third goal for Berkane deep into stoppage time that sparked wild jubilation for the home side.

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This means Berkane advance 3-2 aggregate and will face off against the reigning champions, USM Alger, in what promises to be a highly anticipated clash.


The first half remained goalless despite attempts from both sides, with the home team facing strong resistance from the Libyan defence, which thwarted all attempts by the Tunisian coach Mouin Chaabani’s squad.


Abu Salim entered the second half with vigour, surprising the Moroccans with an early goal in the 47th minute by Hossam El Abani.

However, Senegalese player Boubacar Fall responded for Berkane in the 68th minute.


Moroccan defender Adil Tahif added the second goal for Berkane in the 72nd minute, bringing the score to 2-1 in favor of the Moroccans against the Libyans.

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Refusing to surrender, Abu Salim players managed to equalise in the 83rd minute through Abd El Moumen El Ayan, intensifying the match.


Youssef El Fahli scored the third goal for Renaissance Berkane in the 90+10th minute, but the goal was disallowed upon review by VAR.


The efforts of Berkane players paid off with a third goal in the 90+15th minute, sealing their qualification to the semi-finals of the competition.

Kunle Solaja is the author of landmark books on sports and journalism as well as being a multiple award-winning journalist and editor of long standing. He is easily Nigeria’s foremost soccer diarist and Africa's most capped FIFA World Cup journalist, having attended all FIFA World Cup finals from Italia ’90 to Qatar 2022. He was honoured at the Qatar 2022 World Cup by FIFA and AIPS.

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CAF Confederation Cup

‘Nzogbu Nzogbu’ Enyimba enyi as Enyimba limp into Confederation Cup Group stage!

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It was not easy, but the end justified the means. Enyimba had to go through the lottery of penalty shoot-out to get into the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup on Sunday in Uyo after playing a barren draw with visiting Etoile Filante of Burkina Faso.

 The first leg also ended goalless leading to penalty shoot-out as tie breaker. Enyimba won 3-2 on penalties.

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CAF Confederation Cup

CAF Confederation Cup: Enyimba target victory after Solid Showing in Bamako

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Enyimba FC head coach Yemi Olarenwaju has set his sights on securing a crucial victory in Sunday’s second leg of the CAF Confederation Cup tie against Étoile Filante de Ouagadougou.

His confidence is built on the  goalless draw in the first leg in Bamako.

“The job is far from over, and we can’t afford to celebrate yet. The return leg in Uyo will be crucial,” Olarenwaju was quoted by the club’s website as saying.

“We’ll go back to the drawing board, work harder, and prepare for the challenge ahead.”

Olarenwaju praised his team’s tactical edge and discipline, which nullified the hosts’ attacking threats. “We had a clear game plan, and the players executed it perfectly. Our tactical discipline prevented Étoile Filante de Ouagadougou from creating any meaningful scoring opportunities.”

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The Enyimba FC boss acknowledged the tough opposition but remains confident in his team’s ability to secure a win at home.

“Étoile Filante de Ouagadougou is a formidable opponent, but we have the quality and determination to get the job done in Uyo.”

As we look forward to the return leg, we urge all Enyimba FC fans to come out in their numbers and support the team at the Uyo Stadium. Let’s make our home advantage count and cheer the People’s Elephant to victory!

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CAF Confederation Cup

Enyimba’s midfielder, Daga confident of Confederation Cup group stage ticket

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Enyimba’s midfielder,  Daniel Daga, has pledged to lead club to victory against Etoile Filante in the return leg of the CAF Confederation Cup second round on Sunday.

The People’s Elephant are looking to build on their impressive performance in the first leg, which ended in a goalless draw in Bamako, Mali. Despite creating several scoring opportunities, Enyimba were unable to find the back of the net.

However, Daga remains optimistic about their chances in the return leg having missed the first leg of the encounter due to a slight knock

“Our resolve is to win and advance to the group stages,” he stated confidently. “We understand that they are a difficult opponent, but we have just one task, which is to win, and that is exactly what we are going to do.”

A win for Enyimba FC would guarantee their spot in the group stages, a feat that would make them the only Nigerian team in the competition’s group phase.

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“We know the importance of this match, and we’re ready to give it our all,” Daga added. “We want to make Nigeria proud and show that we’re a force to be reckoned with in African football.”

Head coach, Yemi Olarenwaju, has been fine-tuning his tactics, and the team is eager to execute their game plan.

“The first leg result gives us an advantage, but we won’t take anything for granted,” Olarenwaju said. “We’ll push for victory and secure our spot in the group stages.”

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