CAF Confederation Cup: USM Alger in danger, Zamalek and Dreams FC look to seal qualification
CAF Confederation Cup: quarter-final second-leg schedule. Holders USMA are in danger against Rivers United
Sport News Africa · Author profile ·
Listen to this story
Audio version in preparation · read aloud by your browser meanwhile
The last two champions must respond
Are we about to see the holders knocked out as early as the quarter-finals of the CAF Confederation Cup? It is a very real possibility. Stunned by an Augustine Okejepha goal, USM Alger lost the first leg against Nigerian side Rivers United (0-1). It was a major shock, given the Nigerian club only played its first African campaign in 2017. USM, by contrast, are a giant well used to continental battles. The second leg, in Algeria this Sunday, promises to be fiery in front of an Algerian crowd who will want to carry their side into the semi-finals.
Renaissance Sportive de Berkane, for their part, had to settle for a 0-0 draw in the first leg away to Libyan side Abu Salem. At home this Sunday, the Moroccans must make the difference to keep their run going. The aim, obviously, is to win another CAF Confederation Cup after the one they claimed in 2022.
Read also: CAF Champions League: TP Mazembe and Espérance Tunis fly into the semi-finals
Zamalek and Dreams FC, managing their lead
For their home second leg, Zamalek can afford to bide their time against fellow Egyptian club Modern Future FC. Given their pedigree (5 Champions League titles and 1 CAF Confederation Cup), the White Knights appear to have done the hard work in the first leg, with a 2-1 win secured late on (88th minute), after trailing 0-1 from the 35th minute.
The situation is the same for Ghana's Dreams FC. The club pulled off a superb result with a 2-1 win away to Stade Malien in the first leg. Only in existence since 2009, Dreams FC are definitely newcomers on the continental stage and could give themselves a first big African run. They will still need to stay solid against Stade Malien, who are looking to rediscover their glorious past.
CAF Confederation Cup quarter-final second-leg schedule
16:00 : Dreams FC (Ghana) – Stade Malien (Mali)
19:00 : Zamalek (Egypt) – Future FC (Egypt)
21:00 : RS Berkane (Morocco) – Abu Salim SC (Libya)
21:00 : USM Alger (Algeria) – Rivers United (Nigeria)