Confederation Cup gets underway this weekend

Thursday Aug 08, 2019. 09:00

The 2019/20 CAF Confederation Cup gets underway this coming weekend, with 21 preliminary round, first-leg matches played across the continent.

One of the most compelling narratives at this early stage of the competition is that of South Africa’s TS Galaxy, a second-tier club which won the Nedbank Cup earlier in the year to secure a place in the continental tournament.

They will make their African club debut with a home match against Seychelles side Saint Louis Suns United on Sunday, and make use of 2010 World Cup venue Mbombela Stadium, as their usual home ground, the Kameelrivier Stadium, is not up to CAF standards.

Elsewhere, one of the biggest clashes of the round sees Egypt’s Pyramids host Etoile du Congo (Congo Brazzaville). This will be an early litmus test for new Pyramids coach Sebastien Desabre, who was most recently in charge of Uganda at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

Other big names in action includes Ashanti Gold of Ghana, who have a tough trip to Equatorial Guinea to face Akonangui, while Niger Tornadoes (Nigeria) will hope the rebuilding of their squad pays dividends when they host Guinea’s Santoba.

The return legs will be played on the weekend of 23-25 August. The 21 aggregate winners advance to the first round to join 11 teams which received byes: RS Berkane, CS Sfaxien, Al Masry, Hassania Agadir, Zanaco, Enugu Rangers, Salitas, Djoliba, Bidvest Wits, San Pedro and CnaPS Sport.

CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round, first leg fixtures

ASC Snim v ESAE

USGN v Al Ittihad

Maranatha v LISCR

AS Pelican v AS Maniema Union

Paradou AC v CI Kamsar

Bolton City v Jwaneng Galaxy

Mogadishu City v Malindi

Akonangui v Ashanti Gold

Niger Tornadoes v Santoba

TS Galaxy v Saint Louis Suns United

Buildcon v Young Buffaloes

Arta/Solar7 v Al Khartoum

DC Motema Pembe v Stade Renard de Melong

AS Kigali v KMC

Proline v Masters Security

Bandari v Al Ahly Shendy

US Ben Guerdane v Amarat United

Fasil Kenema v Azam

Triangle United v Rukinzo

Pyramids v Etoile du Congo

CR Belouizdad v AS Coton Tchad