CAF Confederation Cup
CAF Confederation Cup: Libyan embassy officials meet Sanusi in Abuja
Officials from the Embassy of Libya in Nigeria on Tuesday met with the General Secretary of Nigeria Football Federation, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi to harmonize arrangements for the CAF Confederation Cup duels involving two Libyan clubs against Nigeria’s Rivers United FC and Plateau United FC.
Plateau United will take on Al Akhdar FC at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja while Rivers United will square up to Al Nasr FC at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt in the final preliminary round of the CAF Confederation Cup, with the winners guaranteed spots in the money-spinning group stage of the competition.
Abdul-Moeine Gargoum, Counsellor at the embassy and Ali Shrai, third secretary were at the NFF Secretariat, Abuja on Tuesday at the behest of the Libyan Ambassador to Nigeria, Ayad Al-Tayari.
“We are at ease that Nigeria and Libya are good African brothers with excellent relations and all we have come to discuss is about seamless arrangements for our teams coming here and for the Nigerian teams going to Libya. I have the assurance of the two Libyan clubs that they will accord Rivers United and Plateau United the best reception possible, and I have no doubt that our clubs will be treated in a similar manner here in Nigeria,” Gargoum said.
Responding, Dr Sanusi reiterated that football is a game of peace and love, meant to foster brotherhood, camaraderie, understanding and good neighbourliness, and designed to bring nations, territories and jurisdictions closer to enable cordiality and warm relations.
“I am pleased to receive you on behalf of the Board and Management of the NFF. Nigeria and Libya are indeed brothers and I remember how much we fostered our brotherhood during the U23 AFCON qualifiers we played in 2019. Football is a beautiful game and is a game of love, peace and joy beyond the entertainment value.
“The NFF will work assiduously with the two clubs involved – Plateau United and Rivers United – and ensure that the delegations from Libya are made to have good memories of their stay in Nigeria.”
Both Al Akhdar and Al Nasr are ruminating over flying into Nigeria this weekend aboard the same chartered aircraft, which will drop the Al Akhdar delegation in Abuja before proceeding to Port Harcourt with the Al Nasr group.
The first leg matches hold on Wednesday, 2nd November with the second leg matches taking place on Wednesday, 9th November in Benghazi.
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.
Many fans risk missing 2026 World Cup as Visa window for visitors is closing
Nigeria’s Victor Olatunji becomes third African scoring debutant in Uefa Champions League
Lagos sports writers mourn Adeyinka Adebayo
Breaking! Uzoho suspended from Super Eagles’ next match with Sierra Leone
No longer Super League as CAF changes name of its new clubs competition
AIU releases its report on Tobi Amusan
-
AFCON1 week agoSuper Eagles lead Afcon Group D qualifiers despite Benin’s defeat of Libya
-
AFCON1 week agoAustin Eguavoen remains the ‘Big Boss’, says NFF
-
AFCON1 week agoWhy I benched Osimhen again – Eguavoen
-
AFCON1 week agoRwanda newspaper gives 5 lessons gleaned from Rwanda-Nigeria clash
-
Nigerian Football1 week agoWesterhof recommends Siasia for Super Eagles’ job
-
AFCON1 week agoNigeria’s managerial crisis resumes as Eguavoen reportedly declines to continue
-
AFCON1 week agoPresent and Past as CAF Coaches Symposium unites Rohr, Peseiro and Eguavoen
-
CAF Confederation Cup6 days agoEnyimba continues unbeaten run against Burkina Faso clubs