Secures CAF Confederation Cup group stage spot

Zamalek cruised past Kenya Police FC to secure their place in the next round of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup, claiming a 2-1 victory in Cairo on Friday night and a comfortable 3-1 win on aggregate.

The Egyptian side, who entered the second leg with a slim 1-0 advantage, put on a solid performance to outclass their Kenyan opponents and move on to the next stage.

Kenya Police, fresh off their FKF Cup triumph, struggled to find their rhythm throughout the match. Despite some promising moments, they were often wasteful in possession and failed to capitalize on key scoring opportunities.

Zamalek, however, took control in the second half. Ahmed ‘Zizo’ Sayed broke the deadlock in the 56th minute, expertly volleying a cross past goalkeeper Patrick Matasi to put the White Knights ahead.

Just four minutes later, the hosts doubled their lead in fortuitous fashion. A miscommunication between Police defender Musa Mohamed and Matasi allowed Nasser Maher to pounce on the loose ball and slot it into the net, extending Zamalek’s aggregate lead to 3-0.

Kenya Police briefly clawed their way back into the contest when Jesse Were headed in from a well-placed free-kick in the 65th minute, reducing the deficit to 2-1.

The visitors pushed forward in search of an equalizer, but lacked the composure needed to find the back of the net.

Tyson Otieno squandered a golden chance, sending his effort over the bar from close range, while Zamalek goalkeeper Mohamad Sobhi made crucial saves to maintain his side’s lead.

Despite a spirited late surge from Kenya Police, Zamalek held firm and secured a deserved victory.

The Egyptian giants will now turn their attention to the group stage, while Kenya Police shift focus to their domestic campaign.

Meanwhile, Stade Malien also secured their place in the group stage on Friday with a commanding 3-1 victory over Paynesville FC in the second leg of their second preliminary round clash.

Trailing 1-0 from the first leg, the Bamako side overturned the deficit early, thanks to Moctar Cisse’s 10th-minute opener.

Soumaila Magassouba and Souleymane Dramé added two more before the half-hour mark, sealing a dominant display.

Despite a late goal from Paynesville’s Mark Paye, it wasn’t enough to prevent Stade Malien’s progression with a 3-2 aggregate win.

As Defending champions and last season’s finalists gear up for TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup opener

 

The 2024-25 TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup second preliminary round is set to kick off this weekend, with some of Africa’s biggest clubs stepping into the competition, CAFonline reports.

 

Defending champions Zamalek and last season’s finalists RS Berkane are among the prominent teams hoping to secure a place in the group stages.

 

Africa’s most renowned clubs take their first steps towards the group stages, with the likes of defending champions Zamalek and two-time winners RS Berkane gearing up for crucial encounters this weekend.

 

Zamalek’s Title Defense Begins

 

Zamalek Image credit: CAFonline

 

Reigning champions Zamalek will kick off their quest for back-to-back Confederation Cup titles when they face Administration Police of Kenya at Nairobi’s Nyayo National Stadium on Saturday.

 

Zamalek, who claimed their second title in the competition last season, are widely considered favourites for this tie but are well aware that no opponent can be taken lightly.

 

Zamalek’s experience in African competitions, coupled with their squad depth, puts them in a strong position to progress to the group stages.

 

The Cairo giants will be aiming for a commanding result to take back to Egypt for the second leg.

 

RS Berkane Aim for a Strong Start

 

RS Berkane Image credit: CAFonline

 

RS Berkane, who have consistently performed well in recent years with titles in 2020 and 2022 and runner-up finishes in 2019 and 2024, will face Benin outfit Dadje at the Stade de I’Amitié on Saturday.

 

The Moroccan side, known for their defensive solidity and effective counter-attacking play, will be looking to avoid any slip-ups in the first leg as they chase a third CAF Confederation Cup title.

 

Berkane will be eager to avoid the kind of drama that overshadowed their semi-final last season, where a political dispute resulted in a walkover against USM Alger.

 

Sekhukhune, Stellenbosch Eye Group Stage Berths

 

Sekhukhune United

 

South African clubs are also in action, with Sekhukhune United and Stellenbosch FC eager to extend their continental journeys.

 

Sekhukhune will take on Angola’s Lunda Sul at the Estadio 11 de Novembro on Saturday, hoping to build on their solid performance last season, when they reached the group stages in their debut campaign.

 

Stellenbosch Football Club

 

Stellenbosch, who cruised through the first preliminary round with an 8-0 aggregate win over Nsingizini Hotspurs, will face a tougher test against AS Vita Club of DR Congo at the Cape Town Stadium on Friday.

 

Enyimba and CS Constantine in Action

 

Image credit: Enyimba celebrates Nigerian Fed cup win Image credit: CAFonline

 

Elsewhere, Nigerian side Enyimba have arrived in Bamako for their encounter with Burkina Faso’s Etoile Filante, which will take place at the Mamadou Konaté Stadium on Saturday.

 

The People’s Elephant, who were handed a bye in the first round, are the only Nigerian side left in the competition following the elimination of El Kanemi Warriors.

 

In Algeria, CS Constantine face a tough assignment as they take on Ghanaian club FC Nsoatreman in the first leg of their second preliminary round tie.

 

Head coach Kheireddine Madoui acknowledged the quality of the opposition but remains optimistic. “Nsoatreman is technically stronger than our last opponent, FC Police of Rwanda, but we’re well prepared for this match,” Madoui said.

 

As the second preliminary round gets underway, the battle to secure spots in the prestigious group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup is heating up, with all eyes on the big names aiming to make their mark in this season’s competition.

 

CAF Confederation Cup first-leg fixtures:

 

Current Champions Zamalek begins defense of their title Image credit: CAFonline

Dreams FC Fly Ghanaian flag higher to TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup Semi-Final

Image credit: CAFonline

Dreams Football Club will proudly fly Ghana’s flag in the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup Semi-Finals on Sunday, 07 April, after fending stiff competition from former champions Stade Malien of Mali, CAFonline reports.

Following an impressive 2-1 win away from home in Mali last weekend, the Ghanaians, who are in their maiden CAF Inter-Club competition, came from behind to salvage a 1-1 draw, which sent them through on a 3-2 aggregate to the next stage of the competition, which will see them within touching distance of continental glory.

Coming into the tie at the back of a 2-1 away win, the Ghanaians were very cautious in their approach, allowing the 2009 champions to have more of the ball with the hope of catching them on the break.

The tactic almost backfired as Yoro Diaby capitalized on poor marking from the Ghanaians on a set piece to fire from close range and level the tie just before the hour mark.

The goal served as a wake-up call for the hosts, who sent numbers forward in search of the equalizer. This tactic was duly rewarded, as Sylvester Simba pounced on a loose ball that the keeper failed to handle and fired home from an acute angle to level matters and send the Ghanaians into the semi-finals on a 3-2 aggregate.

Not only are Dreams in their first-ever CAF Interclub semi-finals, but they have also become the first Ghanaian club in 20 years to reach the knockout stages of a CAF Interclub competition. Dreams’ qualification ensures they meet with either Zamalek SC or Future FC in the semi-finals.