Ravens and Oranges Boys clash for the first time in Africa

TP Mazembe players warming up

Saturday May 07, 2022. 11:20

Two former champions will go head-to-head in the CAF Confederation Cup semi-finals when TP Mazembe take on RS Berkane in the first leg on Sunday at the Stade TP Mazembe.

Kick-off is at 3pm CAT (SA, GMT+2)

The Ravens won back-to-back titles in 2016 and 2017, while the Oranges Boys were finally crowned champions in 2020 after missing out on the trophy in 2019 when they lost in the final to Zamalek.

Both teams beat Egyptian opposition in the previous round, with Franck Dumas’ side eliminating Pyramids courtesy of a 2-0 win in the second leg on home soil following a goalless draw in the first leg in Cairo.

The Moroccan outfit advanced to the last four on the away-goals rule, having lost 2-1 to Al Masry in the first leg in Alexandria before clinching a 1-0 win in the second leg in Berkane.

The DR Congo champions are in much better form coming into this weekend’s encounter as they are unbeaten in six matches since losing 2-0 to the Green Eagles on matchday 2 in the group stages.

Florent Ibenge’s troops bounced back from a 1-0 loss to Khouribga in the Botola Pro League last week with a 4-3 success against JS Soualem at the weekend. They have won two and lost two of the last four games in all competitions.

This will be the first meeting between the two clubs in Africa as they vie to become continental champions once more.