More thrills and spills expected in Confederation Cup

Orlando Pirates players warming up

Friday Feb 18, 2022. 14:00

The CAF Confederation Cup is expected to produce more thrills and spills when Matchday 2 of the group stage sees eight fixtures held across the continent on Sunday 20 February 2022.

One of the key clashes sees South Africa’s Orlando Pirates looking to pick up a second straight win in Group B when they face hosts Al Ittihad Tripoli of Libya.

The Buccaneers got their group stage campaign off to a great start with a 2-0 home win over Algeria’s JS Saoura last weekend, thanks to goals from Happy Jele and Bandile Shandu, and they will be keen to keep up that standard for their trip to North Africa.

“If we say Pirates are a big team, it must be seen in their performances. It must be seen in competitions where they’re competing. I think it’s important for the brand to compete at the right stage and the right stage for Pirates, without disrespecting the cup that we’re in, is the Champions League,” co-coach Mandla Ncikazi said.

“Pirates should be competing in the main one [the CAF Champions League], but having said that, we’re here now and maybe we’ve got to prove by doing well in this cup that we really deserve to be in the Champions League.”

Another key game sees Zambia’s Zanaco looking to recover from a 1-0 loss to Group A rivals CS Sfaxien when they host Egypt’s Pyramids in Lusaka.

“It is painful to lose with the last kick of the game,” said Zanaco coach Kelvin Kaindu. “We came out a bit strong and we were tactically organised but not very offensive.

“We didn’t create so many chances at the opponents’ goal but in the case of defending, we were tactically disciplined.”

Elsewhere, Ivorian giants ASEC Mimosas have a must-win clash at home to Morocco’s RS Berkane, while the other Group D clash sees Tanzania’s Simba SC travelling to Niger to face USGN.

Group C features a central African derby between AS Otoho of Congo and Cameroon’s Cotonsport, as well as DR Congo’s TP Mazembe travelling to Egypt to take on Al Masry.

In Group B’s other clash, JS Saoura will welcome Eswatini visitors Royal Leopards, while Group A will also feature a North African derby between Al Ahly Tripoli and CS Sfaxien.

CAF Confederation Cup, Matchday 2 fixtures

Sunday 20 February

15:00: AS Otoho v Cotonsport

15:00: Zanaco v Pyramids

18:00: Al Ittihad Tripoli v Orlando Pirates

18:00: Al Masry v TP Mazembe

18:00: ASEC Mimosas v RS Berkane

18:00: USGN v Simba SC

21:00: Al Ahly Tripoli v CS Sfaxien

21:00: JS Saoura v Royal Leopards