The opening matches of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup group stages delivered a mix of drama and excitement as visiting Algerian side Constantine defeated Tunisian side Sfaxien on Wednesday among other interesting results.
Group A:
Brahim Dib’s goal in the 81st minute gave Algerian team CS Constantine a late surprise victory over CS Sfaxien in Tunisia.
At the Stade Olympique Hammadi-Agrebi, the home crowd was stunned by the forward’s clinical finish after Mohamed Benchaira’s through pass.
Hazem Haj Hassen missed a vital header in the closing minutes as Sfaxien failed to convert their chances despite dominating the ball.
In Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s Simba SC defeated Angola’s Bravos do Maquis 1-0 earlier in the day.
The Tanzanian powerhouses secured three points thanks to a penalty kick from Jean Ahoua in the 27th minute.
Simba now leads Group A after the victory, while Constantine is behind on goal differential.
Group Standings After Match Day 1
Simba SC – 3 pts (+1)
CS Constantine – 3 pts (+1)
CS Sfaxien – 0 pts (-1)
Bravos do Maquis – 0 pts (-1)
Group B:
Malian team Stade Malien defeated South African newcomers Stellenbosch FC 2-0 in Bamako to start their campaign.
Daouda Coulibaly’s late penalty sealed the victory after Haman Mandjan’s spectacular goal in the 15th minute opened the score.
Key player Devin Titus gave up the penalty in stoppage time as Stellenbosch’s defence failed to contain Malien’s unrelenting attack.
Morocco’s RS Berkane, the 2021/22 champions, hosted Angola’s Club Desportivo de Lunda Sul in the Group B opening.
Issoufou Dayo’s braces in the 21st and 79th minutes of the game gave Berkane a resounding 2-0 victory, pushing the previous champions to the top of the group. Berkane was determined to recapture its crown.
Group Standings After Match Day 1
Stade Malien – 3 pts (+2)
RS Berkane – 3 pts (+2)
CD Lunda Sul – 0 pts (-2)
Stellenbosch – 0 pts (-2)
Group C:
ASEC Mimosas demonstrated their determination at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan by defeating Senegalese team ASC Jaraaf 2-0.
Kankonde Tshisungu and Razack Cissé both scored goals, with the latter’s header in the 71st minute freezing Jaraaf’s goalie in place.
Jaraaf will need to recuperate before their next match, as ASEC tops the group with three points.
When USMA Alger hosted group stage debutants Orapa United of Botswana in the evening’s final game, it was a high-scoring contest in Algiers.
The southern African nation suffered a crushing 6-0 loss against the previous champions, which was a baptism of fire.
The Algerians led by four goals before halftime thanks to an early brace from Ismail Belkacemi and goals from Saadi Raouani and Wale Alli.
Islam Mrili’s 71st goal gave the previous champions the decisive victory, and Nabil Lamara’s fifth goal right from the restart further widened the margin in the second half.
Group Standings After Match Day 1
USM Alger – 3 pts (+6)
ASEC Mimosa– 3 pts (+2)
Orapa United – 0 pts (-6)
Jaraaf – 0 pts (-2)
Group D:
At the Suez Canal Stadium, Egyptian team Al Masry defeated Nigeria’s Enyimba 2-0 thanks to a strong performance.
The hero was Mahmoud Hamada, who scored twice, including a calm goal in the fifth minute.
Ismael Saraki’s Enyimba attack found it difficult to penetrate Al Masry’s strong defence.
Zamalek SC, the two-time champions, defeated Black Bulls FC of Mozambique 2-0 to maintain their championship defence.
The champions’ Group D campaign got off to a strong start thanks to two goals from Ahmed Abdelhamid in the 45th minute and a goal from Nabil Emad early in the second half.
Group Standings After Match Day 1
Al Masry – 3 pts (+2)
Zamalek – 3 pts (+2)
Black Bulls – 0 pts (-2)
Enyimba – 0 pts (-2)
Match Day 02 of the group rounds of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup will take place on Sunday, December 8.
