ASEC overthrow Rivers United as Confederation League group leaders

Published

1 year ago

April 3, 2023

An early strike by Tresor Mofosse handed ASEC Mimosas a 1-0 win over Nigeria’s Rivers United as the curtain fell on the group stage of the 2022/23 CAF Confederation Cup.

In the aftermath, both teams, though qualified for the quarter-finals, swapped positions on the final table.

ASEC now top while Rivers United finished second.

The Ivorens started the game strongly and raced into the lead on two minutes when striker Mofosse took advantage of some weak defending to slot beyond the goalkeeper.

The victory took the Ivorian to the top of the group with 13 points, three more than second placed Rivers United as the group phase campaign ended.

Both teams had secured their places in the quarter-finals before Sunday’s final group matches.

In the group’s other game Congo Brazzaville side Diable Niors were held to a goalless draw by Motema Pembe of DR Congo in Brazzaville.

Goalkeeper Jonathan Membo was the hero for the visitors as he thwarted several attempts by the home side to help his side snatch a point.

Diable Noire club finished their Group B campaign in third place with six points while Motema Pembe ended bottom of the pile with three points.

Good start for Confederation Cup defending champions, Zamalek

Published

2 days ago

September 14, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Zamalek commenced their CAF Confederation Cup journey with a 1-0 win over Kenya’s Police in the initial leg of the second preliminary round held in Nairobi this Saturday.

Veteran winger Abdallah El-Saied secured the win for the Whites with a precise strike from outside the box just a minute before halftime.

The Cairo giants, winners of the 2023-2024 CAF Confederation Cup title, started the match with relentless pressure on the hosts to clinch victory in the first leg and alleviate pressure before the upcoming return fixture in Cairo next Friday.

“The most important thing for us was to win and achieve our target,” Zamalek coach Gomes said after the game.

Hosts Police FC of Kenya could not breach Zamalek’s resolute defense in search of an equalizer.

Despite notable summer acquisitions, Zamalek’s coach Jose Gomes opted for a standard lineup, integrating young talents in lieu of seasoned players.

“We are now stronger than the previous season, thanks to spending more time with the team and preparing to play in the tournaments that we will participate in,” the Portuguese coach added.

Conversely, Kenya’s Police FC squandered a clear scoring opportunity against Zamalek, missing a crucial chance fifteen minutes before the final whistle, dashing hopes of leveling the score.

Kenya’s Police FC earned their place in this round following a hard-fought 1-0 aggregate victory over Ethiopia Coffee SC.

-Ahram

CAF Confederation Cup

Enyimba continues unbeaten run against Burkina Faso clubs

Published

3 days ago

September 13, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Nigeria’s Enyimba played a thrilling 0-0 draw with Burkina Faso’s Etoile Filante in the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup second round tie in Bamako on Friday.

There have been three previous confrontation with Burkina Faso teams and this Friday encounter was the second time that Enyimba had had to face Etoile Filante.

According to facts supplied by Opta Nigeria, Etoile Filante were Enyimba’s first ever opponent on the continent 22 years ago in March 2002. Ever since, Enyimba have played 157 times on the continent; the highest by any Nigerian club.

Enyimba carry their advantage to the return leg to be played on 22 September.

CAF Confederation Cup

Enyimba drawn against Etoile de Filante in Confederation Cup

Published

3 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.