CAF Confederation Cup gets underway this weekend

by Graeme Jackson

Friday Aug 16, 2024. 11:00

The 2024-25 CAF Confederation Cup will get underway with 19 first round, first leg, qualifying matches across the continent this weekend, featuring the likes of Stade Tunisien, CS Constantine, Union de Touarga, El Kanemi Warriors and Stellenbosch FC.

This round does not feature the competition’s true heavyweights, with 12 teams given passage through to the second round next month: Zamalek (Egypt), RS Berkane (Morocco), Simba SC (Tanzania), USM Alger (Algeria), ASEC Mimosas (Ivory Coast), AS Vita Club (DR Congo), Al Masry (Egypt), Stade Malien (Mali), CS Sfaxien (Tunisia), Enyimba FC (Nigeria), Sekhukhune United (South Africa) and Saint-Eloi Lupopo (DR Congo).

The action opens on Friday, with Stade Tunisien away to South Sudan’s Jamus FC, Uganda’s Kitara FC at home to Al Hilal Benghazi of Libya and Somalia’s Horseed FC at home to Rukinzo FC of Burundi.

The day also features Nigeria’s El Kanemi Warriors hosting Dadje FC of Benin, with the hosts upset at being forced to relocate their match to the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne compared to the original venue, Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja, due to a CAF directive.

“They [CAF] have sent us a letter to tell us they have taken us to Remo even though we registered Abuja,” said the Borno state sports commissioner Sayinna Buba.

“The past few days we have been battling to see how can change this as they have released a bulletin that we will play in Remo. And playing there we have to pay 5-6 million Naira before we can use the stadium so we are trying to sort out many things at the moment.”

Saturday will see South Africa’s Stellenbosch FC take their first steps into African club competition when they travel to Eswatini’s Nsingizini Hotspurs – with Stellies admitting that they have sought advice from compatriot clubs with experience in CAF tournaments.

“We are speaking with [Mamelodi] Sundowns. But we are also speaking with Orlando Pirates, SuperSport [United]. [These are clubs] who have been to Africa many times. We are also in contact with Marumo Gallants on their experiences. We also are speaking with Sekhukhune United,” said Stellenbosch CEO Rob Benadie.

Saturday also features Tanzania’s Coast Union away to Bravos do Marquis of Angola and Algeria’s CS Constantine hosting Police FC of Rwanda.

Sunday features a Southern African derby between Dynamos FC (Zimbabwe) and ZESCO United (Zambia), while Nsoatreman FC have been given encouragement by Ghana Football Association president Kurt Okraku ahead of their clash with Elect Sport of Chad.

“Playing in Africa comes with enormous benefits. It is my fervent hope and prayer that you will raise the flag of our country high as you embark on this adventure,” said Okraku.

The second leg matches will be played on the weekend of 23-25 August.

CAF Confederation Cup weekend fixtures

Times CAT. Qualifying: First round, first leg.

Friday 16 August

15:00: Jamus FC (South Sudan) v Stade Tunisien (Tunisia)

17:00: El Kanemi Warriors (Nigeria) v Dadje FC (Benin)

19:00: Kitara FC (Uganda) v Al Hilal Benghazi (Libya)

20:00: Horseed FC (Somalia) v Rukinzo FC (Burundi)

Saturday 17 August

13:00: Foresters MF (Seychelles) v Orapa United (Botswana)

15:00: Nsingizini Hotspurs (Eswatini) v Stellenbosch FC (South Africa)

16:00: 15 de Agosto (Equatorial Guinea) v AS Otoho (Congo)

16:00: Alize Fort (Comoros) v Black Bulls (Mozambique)

17:00: Bravos do Marquis (Angola) v Coastal Union (Tanzania)

20:00: CS Constantine (Algeria) v Police FC (Rwanda)

22:00: Union de Touarga (Morocco) v RC Abidjan (Ivory Coast)

Sunday 18 August

14:00: Administration Police (Kenya) v Ethiopian Coffee (Ethiopia)

14:30: Uhamiaji FC (Zanzibar) v Al Ahli Tripoli (Libya)

15:00: Dynamos FC (Zimbabwe) v ZESCO United (Zambia)

17:00: Nsoatreman FC (Ghana) v Elect Sport (Chad)

18:00: ASC Kara (Togo) v AS FAN (Niger)

18:00: Paynesville FC (Liberia) v Fovu Club (Cameroon)

18:00: Hafia FC (Guinea) v Rahimo FC (Burkina Faso)

18:00: East End Lions (Sierra Leone) v ASC Jaraaf (Senegal)

*Delayed to Wednesday 21 August: Elgeco Plus (Madagascar) v Lunda Sul (Angola)