CAF Confederation Cup: Mazembe and Monastir go head to head from afar, ASEC look to get up and running
Matchday 2 of the CAF Confederation Cup group stage will be played on Sunday. The stakes differ from group to group.
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Two wins from two games is the shared aim of TP Mazembe and US Monastir. Current joint leaders of Group D in the CAF Confederation Cup, the Congolese and Tunisian sides want to open up a gap in the group before they meet on matchday 3. After a convincing opening game against Real Bamako (a 3-1 win), the Congolese travel to Tanzania to face Young Africans. They are a side hungry for revenge after losing their opener to Monastir (2-0). It is a real test for the Lubumbashi club, who will have to confirm their improved form. All the more so as the Congolese can go top on their own if USM fail to win in Mali in the other game.
Read more on the same subject: CAF Confederation Cup: Diables Noirs, TP and Marumo Gallants impress
The Tunisians are not contemplating that scenario. "The players have come here to play their football. They know what they have to do. They are in the right frame of mind to give their best, to bring the best to this game, which we want to approach with maximum optimism and confidence," said their coach, Darko Novic, at a press conference. It is fair to say the two sides will be going head to head from afar, even though both away trips are far from formalities.
FC Lupopo with their backs to the wall
In Group A of this 2023 CAF Confederation Cup, FC Lupopo already need to get back into the race for qualification. The Congolese were heavily beaten at USM Alger on opening day (3-0) and must pick up points when they host South Africans Marumo Gallants, who thrashed Al Akhdar on matchday 1 (4-1). To make their task a little harder still, Mohamed Magassouba's men will "host" their opponents in Zambia, at the Levy Mwanawesa Stadium in Ndola, because they have no CAF-approved ground. Away in Libya, USMA by contrast have a good chance against the most modest side in the group, at least on paper.
Rivers United and ASEC look to get off the ground
In Group B, the clash between Rivers United and ASEC is well worth watching. The Nigerians were heavily beaten in Congo by Diables Noirs (3-0), while ASEC were held at home by Daring Club Motema Pembe (0-0). Both teams badly need a result or risk being left behind in the table. Diables Noirs could take advantage and move clear with a win over Daring. But although they are favourites, the Brazzaville side will need to be wary of their neighbours from Kinshasa, because a derby is never won in advance.
There is also a derby in Group C, between Future FC and Pyramids FC. The two Egyptian sides are keen to start their campaign by claiming a first win after a draw on matchday 1. The same goes for FAR Rabat, who host Kara in a group where every team has one point after one round and where all are looking to get their African campaign properly under way.
- Matchday 2 schedule in the CAF Confederation Cup (GMT times)
13:00: FC Lupopo - Marumo Gallants
16:00: Al Akhdar - USM Alger
16:00: Future FC - Pyramids FC
16:00: Real Bamako - US Monastir
16:00: Rivers United - ASEC Mimosas
16:00: Young Africans - TP Mazembe
19:00: FAR Rabat - Kara
19:00: Daring Club Motema Pembe - Diables Noirs