CAF Confederation Cup
Three Nigerian clubs in crucial 90-minute duels in North Africa
BY KUNLE SOLAJA
Rivers United, Plateau United and Bayelsa Queens all have the same mission tonight in North Africa.
The trio seek major victories against their hosts.
While Bayelsa Queens face a formidable opposition in AS FAR ladies of Morocco in their quest for the final of the Women’s Champions League, the duo of Rivers United and Plateau United have a leg each into the group stage of the Confederations Cup group stage.
The two men’s clubs are in Libya, hoping to complete the work they started in Nigeria at the weekend.
Plateau United will begin Nigeria’s triple assault as they face Al Akhdar in Libya at about 4pm Nigerian time. They are assured of sailing through if they don’t concede up to a three goal margin.
They won the first leg 4-1 in Abuja. At 8pm, Rivers United will be up against Al Nasr that they defeated 5-0 in Port Harcourt. Except the unexpected happens, they are assured of a place in the next next round.
It is Bayelsa United that face the most Herculean task of overcoming AS FAR in Rabat. The match comes up at 9pm
Confederations Cup Play-off fixtures (Time in GMT)
13h00
Marumo Gallants – Al Ahly Tripoli (0-1)
14h00
CS Sfaxien – ASKO (1-2)
St Eloi Lupopo – RC Kadiogo (1-0)
14h30
Diables Noirs – La Passe (2-0)
15h00
Al Akhdar – Plateau United (1-4)
16h00
Club Africain – Yanga (0-0)
Future – Primeiro Agosto (1-1)
Real Bamako – Royal Leopards (1-1)
SC Gagnoa – ASEC (0-2)
17h00
Pyramids – AS Nigelec (0-1)
Royal AM – TP Mazembe (0-2)
USM Alger – Cape Town City (0-0)
18h00
Motema Pembe – Flambeau du Centre (1-0)
19h00
Al Nasr – Rivers United (0-5)
Berkane – US Monastir (0-1)
FAR Rabat – Djoliba (0-0)
CAF Confederation Cup
Good start for Confederation Cup defending champions, Zamalek
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
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
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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