CAF Confederation Cup
CAF Confederation Cup quarters draw reignites Algeria-Morocco rivalry
The political as well as sporting rivalry of Morocco and Algeria may have been reignited as both are pitched together in a potentially explosive quarter final duels.
Algeria prevented Morocco from attending last February African Nations Championships. It is to be seen whether the charged rivalry will come to the fore again as Algeria’s USM Alger will face Morocco’s AS FAR.
The Algerian side will host the first leg and it will be seen if another obstacle will be placed on the path of the Moroccans in travelling to Algeria.
That was the highlight of the draw conducted in Cairo on Wednesday.
Morocco’s FAR is the only team in the last eight which has previously won the competition, having been crowned champions in 2005 when they defeated the now defunct Dolphins of Nigeria.
This was also the first time that the Moroccans were making it into the group stages since the 2006 season.
They continue their campaign for one more continental piece of silverware with the first leg being a trip to Algiers.
Meanwhile, Pyramids FC, finalists of the 2019-20 season have been drawn against debutants Marumo Gallants of South Africa, and the Egyptians start the first leg at home in Cairo.
At the same time, 1998 Champions Asec Mimosas will continue with their ambition for another title, and have been paired against Tunisian side US Monastir, and will start with the first leg away from home.
The quarter final draw was conducted by Opoku Nti, a former midfielder for the Black Stars of Ghana, who won the CAF Champions League in 1983 with Asante Kototo before moving to Switzerland to play the rest of his club career.
The last eight fixtures have been scheduled for the last week of April, with the first leg matches set for April 23 and the return fixtures a week later. The semis will be played on 14 and 21st May.
Meanwhile, the final is set to revert to the home and away format and will be played on June 4 and 11.
Full CAF Confederation Cup Draw
QF 1. Pyramids FC vs Marumo Gallants
QF 2. US Monastir vs Asec Mimosas
QF 3. USM Alger vs AS FAR
QF 4. Rivers United vs Yanga
Semi-finals
QF4 vs QF1
QF2 vs QF3
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
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.
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.
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