Zamalek off to winning start, USMA run riot

by Graeme Jackson

Wednesday Nov 27, 2024. 23:09

The first matchday of CAF Confederation Cup group stage matches saw defending champions Zamalek of Egypt claim a home win over Mozambique’s Black Bulls, while Algeria’s USMA ran riot against Orapa United of Botswana.

Zamalek got their Group D campaign off to a comfortable start by trumping Bulls 2-0 in Cairo in a night match, thanks to goals either side of half time from Ahmed Esho and Nabil Dunga, as they set off in search of a third Confederation Cup crown.

Morocco’s RS Berkane – two time CAFCC champions and runners-up last season – beat Angola’s Lunda Sul by the same score line (via a brace from Issoufou Dayo), while USM Alger racked up a 6-0 thrashing of Orapa in Algiers for the biggest win of the day.

Ismael Belkacemi (two), Saadi Radouani, Wale Musa Alli, Nabil Lamara and Islam Merili all found the back of the net as the North Africans handed ‘The Ostriches’ a sound beating on the latter’s debut in the group stage of a CAF club competition.

In the pick of the early-evening matches, Egypt’s Al Masry proved too strong for Nigerian side Enyimba in Alexandria, winning 2-0 thanks to a brace from Mahmoud Hamada.

Elsewhere in the same kick-off slot, Algeria’s CS Constantine won 1-0 in Tunisia against CS Sfaxien via a late strike from Brahim Dib (the only away triumph of the day); Stade Malien overpowered South Africa’s Stellenbosch FC 2-0 in Bamako with goals from Haman Mandjan and Daouda Coulibaly; and ASEC Mimosas of Ivory Coast were too strong for Senegal’s ASC Jaraaf, winning 2-0 in Abidjan thanks to efforts from Razack Cisse and Kankonde Tshisungu.

The lone afternoon match saw Tanzania’s Simba SC claim a 1-0 win over Angola’s Bravo dos Maquis in Dar es Salaam thanks to a first-half penalty from Jean Charles Ahoua.

The next block of Confederation Cup fixtures will be held on Sunday 8 December.

CAF Confederation Cup results, Wednesday 27 November

Simba SC 1-0 Bravo dos Maquis

CS Sfaxien 0-1 CS Constantine

Al Masry 2-0 Enyimba FC

ASEC Mimosas 2-0 ASC Jaraaf

Stade Malien 2-0 Stellenbosch FC

RS Berkane 2-0 CD Lunda Sul

USM Alger 6-0 Orapa United

Zamalek 2-0 Black Bulls