CAF Confederation Cup

RS Berkane edge Zamalek in African Confederation Cup final, first leg

Published

4 months ago

May 13, 2024

Morocco’s Renaissance Berkane beat Cairo giants Zamalek 2-1 in the African Confederation Cup final, first leg at the Municipal Stadium on Sunday ahead of the return in Egypt a week from now.

The hosts had a dream start after being awarded a 13th minute penalty, converted by skipper Issoufou Dayo, and then grabbed a second goal in the 32nd when Adil Tahif squeezed in a header at the back post catching out goalkeeper Mohamed Awad.

But Zamalek, who won the Confederation Cup five years ago when they beat Berkane on penalties in the final, netted a potentially vital away goal two minutes into the second half as Seifeddine Jaziri powered home a header from Ahmed Zizo’s cross.

Berkane came close to restoring a two-goal lead when Youssef Mehri’s shot skimmed the bar in the 62nd minute.

The return leg in Cairo next Sunday will see Berkane, winners in 2020 and 2022, seeking a third success in the continent’s secondary club competition.

The Moroccan club qualified for the final after a disputed semi-final against holders USM Alger.

Neither leg of the tie was played during a diplomatic spat over Berkane displaying a map of Morocco on their shirts featuring the disputed annexed territory of Western Sahara that Algeria does not recognise.

Berkane had their kit confiscated by Algerian customs when they travelled for the first leg last month and they refused to play. They were awarded a 3-0 victory by the Confederation of African Football’s disciplinary committee.

USM Alger then travelled to Morocco for the return leg but refused to leave their changing rooms at kick off time and were disqualified. They have taken the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport but were unable to force a halt to Sunday’s final, first leg.

-Reuters

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

2 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

2 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.