The AS Maniema Union might experience this Saturday the biggest day of its history at the African interclub competitions. Indeed, the Unionists are just one point away from a historic qualification for the quarter-finals of the Confederation Cup, which would simply be a first for this Congolese club in CAF interclubs in general.
Travelling to Zanzibar this Saturday on the sidelines of the 5th round of Group B, the club from Kindu, second in the group (9 points), will therefore only need a draw against Azam FC from Tanzania, third (6 points), to qualify even before the final day.
The experience paid off
It is only for the second time in its history that AS Maniema Union participates in a group stage of an inter-club competition of the CAF. The first time was last season in the Champions League where the Congolese club finished in last position of their group (3 points).
Housed in a very strong group B with Mamelodi Sundows from South Africa and two Moroccan clubs, namely the Raja de Casablanca and AS FAR, AS Maniema Union, lacking experience, delivered great performances without however succeeding in winning any match.
Every time at home, she led the score without managing to maintain her advantage. Never mind, the Congolese club had left a very good impression on all its opponents. And for this season in the Confederation Cup, the Unionists were able to use the mistakes of the past to gain experience and dominate their opponents.
Three victories in four matches including one outside against Nairobi United (1-0) and another against an African giant WAC (2-1), give confidence to coach Papy Kimoto who firmly believes in this qualification for the quarter-finals of the Confederation Cup.
«I have confidence in my group and we now have experience that was missing from last season. We manage the matches better now, for proof, we won Wydad with the way. I firmly believe in this qualification, my players too. We have two match balls to qualify and we are going to give it our all,”
he said.
For this important match against Azam, AS Maniema Union has all its staff to go get this qualification.
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Philemon MBALE
Rédacteur sportif
Passionné de sport depuis toujours, partage avec vous les dernières actualités et analyses du monde sportif.