CAF Confederation Cup weekend preview, 14-16 December 2018

by Graeme Jackson

Thursday Dec 13, 2018. 10:16

Sixteen first round, first-leg matches to be played around the continent.

The 2018-19 CAF Confederation Cup will see 16 first round, first-leg matches played across the continent this coming weekend, 14-16 December.

This round sees the entry of the ‘big boys’ who received a bye through the preliminary round: two former four-time champions in Etoile du Sahel and CS Sfaxien, Al Hilal Al Ubayyid, Al Ahly Tripoli, RS Berkane, 2018 champions Raja Casablanca, Al Masry, Zamalek and Uganda’s KCCA.

The action gets underway on Friday night and sees DR Congo’s AS Nyuki and Morocco’s Hassania Agadir at home to Angolan side Petro de Luanda and Senegalese club Generation Foot respectively.

Saturday’s busy schedule includes South Africa’s Kaizer Chiefs – who have a new coach in shape of Ernst Middendorp – hoping to rack up a big home win against Madagascar’s ASSM Elgeco Plus, CS Sfaxien facing a challenging match against Green Buffaloes and RS Berkane hosting Al Ittihad for a North African derby.

In addition, Ghana’s Asante Kotoko head to Nairobi to face Kariobangi Sharks, KCCA take on Tanzania’s Mtibwa Sugar in an East African derby, and Etoile du Sahel will look to make the most of home advantage in Sousse against Ivorian contenders Stade d’Abidjan.

Sunday’s lone match sees defending champions Raja welcome Gabon’s Cercle Mberi Sportif, with the West Africans having earned their place with a penalty shootout win over Malawi’s Silver Strikers in the preliminary round.

The return leg matches are scheduled for the following weekend, 21-23 December. The 16 aggregate winners will advance into the playoff round (where they will be joined by the losers from the first round of the CAF Champions League) in 2019.

CAF Confederation Cup fixtures, 14-16 December 2018

Friday 14 December

AS Nyuki v Petro de Luanda
Hassania Agadir v Generation Foot

Saturday 15 December

Al Ahly Tripoli v New Star
Kariobangi Sharks v Asante Kotoko
Green Eagles v NA Hussein Dey
KCCA v Mtibwa Sugar
DC Motema Pembe v San Pedro
USM Bel Abbes v Enugu Rangers
Etoile du Sahel v Stade d’Abidjan
Al Masry v Salitas
RS Berkane v Al Ittihad
Al Hilal Al Ubayyid v Mukura Victory Sports
CS Sfaxien v Green Buffaloes
Zamalek v AS Coton Tchad
Kaizer Chiefs v ASSM Elgeco Plus

Sunday 16 December

Raja Casablanca v Cercle Mberi Sportif