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, 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
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:
Friday, September 13
15h00: Nsoatreman v CS Constantine
16h00: Etoile Filante v Enyimba
16h00: RC Abidjan v ASC Jaraaf
17h00: Stellenbosch v AS Vita Club
Saturday, September 14
12h00: Administration Police v Zamalek
13h00: Black Bulls v AS Otoho
14h00: Lunda Sul v Sekhukhune United
15h00: Dadje v RS Berkane
16h00: Paynesville v Stade Malien
18h00: Stade Tunisien v USM Alger
Sunday, September 15
14h00: Orapa United v Dynamos
15h00: Rukinzo v CS Sfaxien
15h00: Bravos do Maquis v Saint-Eloi Lupopo
16h00: ASC Kara v ASEC Mimosas
17h00: Al Ahli Tripoli v Simba
17h00: Al Hilal Benghazi v Al Masry