The TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup group stage entered Matchday 3 as it reached midway to the quarter finals.
The results leave several groups finely poised, with everything to play for in the remaining fixtures as African clubs continue their quest for continental glory:
A total of 17 goals was scored in Sunday games with Stellenbosch of South Africa as the only team to win away.
Here is what happened in various venues across the continent.
Bravos do Maquis 3-2 Constantine
At Estádio 11 de Novembro, Bravos do Maquis defeated CS Constantine 3-2 in an exciting Group A match.
Francis’ long-range shot and a penalty kick from Jó Paciência gave the Angolan team a 2-0 lead at the interval.
With goals from Dadi Mouaki and Chahine Belaouel to tie the score, Constantine put up a valiant fightback.
But in the 94th minute, substitute Célio scored a thrilling goal to give Maquis their second victory and tie Simba and Constantine on six points.
Zamalek 1-0 Al Masry
At Borg El Arab Stadium, Zamalek defeated Al Masry 1-0 in a fiercely contested Egyptian rivalry.
The difference was made in the 63rd minute by Zizo’s incredible strike from outside the box.
Zamalek’s defence held strong to complete the victory in spite of Masry’s late push, sending them to the top of Group D with seven points.
Simba 2-1 CS Sfaxien
At Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, Simba defeated CS Sfaxien 2-1 in an exciting Group A match. Hazem Haj Hassen gave the visitors the lead, but Kibu Denis’ header in the seventh minute gave Simba the equaliser.
Denis’ brace in the last seconds sealed the victory as the Tanzanian team dominated the second half. Simba has now moved up to Group A’s second position.
Black Bulls 3-0 Enyimba
Nigerian powerhouse Enyimba was taken aback by Black Bulls Maputo’s resounding 3-0 victory in Group D.
Rume Akporoh’s header in the first half set the tone, and goals from Fidel Sousa and Ayuba Francis in the second half sealed the victory.
Enyimba currently aits at the bottom of Group D having failed to get a win in three games played so far.
Lunda Sul 0-1 Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch of South Africa defeated CD Lunda Sul by a slim margin of 1-0 on the road.
The clinching header by Devin Titus in the 89th minute put the South Africans in third place in Group B.
Lunda Sul lost a close game because he missed important opportunities.
Orapa United 0-0 Jaraaf
In Group C, Orapa United and Jaraaf played to a goalless draw.
Although both teams produced chances, the points were shared due to poor finishing and tenacious goalkeeping.
Both teams continue to struggle in the group standings as a result.
USM Alger 3-0 ASEC Mimosa
USM Alger defeated Ivorian powerhouse ASEC Mimosas 3-0 on Sunday in Algiers to solidify their position as the top team in Group C at the 2024–25 competition.
After an own goal from ASEC placed USMA up, Ismail Belkacemi scored twice to take the lead with four goals, the most of any player in the competition.
AsEC got off to a strong start with a valiant effort, but following Mohamed Ali Yabré’s own goal in the 16th minute, things started to fall apart.
In Group C play, USMA has an undefeated record of nine goals scored and zero goals given up, thanks to goals by Belkacemi from the penalty spot before halftime and another in the 54th minute.
RS Berkane 1-0 Stade Malien
In Group B of the CAF Confederation Cup on Sunday, RS Berkane besieged the Stade Malien defence for extended periods of time, and the Malian team didn’t break until the 88th minute.
Issoufou Dayo, a centre defender for the Burkina Faso national team, just missed a penalty kick from goalie N’Golo Traoré of Stade Malien to score the game’s lone goal in a 1-0 victory, keeping RSB undefeated after three games in the group stage.
