Pyramids aim to defend perfect start in Confederation Cup

by Staff Reporter

Saturday Feb 26, 2022. 11:00

Pyramids are looking to maintain their 100% record in the CAF Confederation Cup, while Zanaco and Royal Leopards will be hoping to get off the mark in the group stages on matchday three.

Pyramids kick off the action in Group A with a home tie against CS Sfaxien at the 30 June Stadium. The Egyptian team tops the group on six points after beating Al Ahli Tripoli 2-1 and Zanaco 2-0 in their opening two games. Jorge Costa’s side occupy third place as a result of their 1-0 win against the Bankers on matchday one. They suffered a 2-1 defeat to the Tripoli outfit in Libya last weekend.

Al Ahli Tripoli face Zanaco in the late kick-off at the Benina Martyrs Stadium looking to put pressure on the group leaders. Jalel Kadri’s men trail Pyramids by three points in second spot after getting their campaign up and running with a 2-1 home victory over CS Sfaxien. The club from Zambia prop up the group following back-to-back defeats against CS Sfaxien and Pyramids.

Al Ittihad will be looking to make it two wins from two in Group B when they welcome JS Saoura to the Benina Martyrs Stadium. Al Ittihad recorded a 3-2 win over Orlando Pirates last weekend to move into pole position, with the Eagles in third position after beating Royal Leopards 2-0 in Algiers on matchday two. They lost 2-0 to Pirates in South Africa a fortnight ago.

The Buccaneers will expect nothing but victory when they take on Ingwe Mabalabala at the Mavuso Sports Centre. The Soweto giants are determined to bounce back from the loss to Al Ittihad last time out, which left them second in the group on three points following an opening-day win over JS Saoura. Leopards bring up the rear after losing to the Algerians on matchday two.

The first fixture of the day pits TP Mazembe against Coton Sport at Stade TP Mazembe. The Ravens are second in Group C after picking up a 1-0 win over AS Otoho on matchday one. They suffered a 2-0 defeat away to Al Masry last weekend. The Cottoners sit third in the group on two points following successive draws against the Green Eagles (0-0) and AS Otoho (1-1).

Al Masry will be hoping to maintain their unbeaten start in the group when they lock horns with AS Otoho at Stade des Martyrs. The Egyptians were held to a goalless draw by Coton Sport first up before a 2-0 success against TP Mazembe saw them climb to the summit on four points. The Congolese club are winless after two matches, having picked up a solitary point in a 1-1 draw against the Cottoners most recently following an opening-day loss to the Ravens.

USGN will be seeking their first win in Group D when they host ASEC Mimosas at Stade General Seyni Kountche. The Niger outfit were involved in an eight-goal thriller against RS Berkane on matchday one but ultimately lost 5-3 away from home. They picked up their first point in a 1-1 home draw with Simba last weekend. The Ivorians moved up to second place courtesy of a 3-1 home win against the Orange Boys on matchday two, having started proceedings with 3-1 defeat on the road to Simba.

RS Berkane will be looking to get their campaign back on track when they meet Simba at Stade Municipal de Berkane. The Orange Boys find themselves in third spot, one point behind the leaders registering one win and one defeat from their opening two matches. The team from Tanzania top the group on four points thanks to an opening-day victory against ASEC Mimosas and a draw with USGN on matchday two.

Saturday’s Confederation Cup fixtures:

15h00: TP Mazembe v Coton Sport

17h00: AS Otoho v Al Masry

17h00: USGN v ASEC Mimosas

18h00: Pyramids v CS Sfaxien

18h00: Al Ittihad v JS Saoura

18h00: Royal Leopards v Orlando Pirates

20h00: RS Berkane v Simba

21h00: Al Ahli Tripoli v Zanaco