RS Berkane chase hat-trick of wins

Al Masry player Islam Salem (R) in action against UD Songo player Luis melville parkim (L) during the 2018 CAF Confederations Cup game

by Graeme Jackson

Tuesday Jul 17, 2018. 09:30

RS Berkane will chase a hat-trick of wins in the CAF Confederation Cup group stage when they host Al Masry at the Municipal Stadium in Berkane on Wednesday, July 18, kick-off at 21h00 CAT.

Morocco’s Berkane come into the game placed top of Group B after collecting six points from their first two matches.

The Oranges began with a 1-0 home win over Sudan’s Al Hilal and followed that up with a 2-0 away triumph over Mozambican side UD Songo, before the continental
tournament went on recess for the 2018 World Cup.

Al Masry, who hail from Port Said in Egypt, are placed second with four points from their two outings.

The Green Eagles beat UD Songo 2-0 at home in their first group clash, before playing out a creditable 1-1 draw away to Hilal.

Berkane come into the clash still grieving over the loss of 30-year-old player Lahcen Akhmis, who was killed earlier this month in a car accident, while star striker Ayoub El Kaabi has left the club to join Chinese Super League side Hebei Fortune.

Al Masry, meanwhile, have been boosted by the signing of Nigerian midfielder Emeka Eze (among others), though they will not be particularly pleased at coach Hossam Hassan throwing his hat into the ring to become Egypt’s new national team coach.

Gabonese referee Eric Otogo-Castane will take charge of the match in Berkane, while the other Group B game sees Al Hilal host UD Songo in Omdurman at 21h00 CAT.