CAF Confederation Cup
NIGERIA’S BOLAJI SAKIN AIDS HOROYA TO OUST ENYIMBA FROM CONFEDERATION CUP
Nigerian born Bolaji Sakin and Boubacar Samassekou were on target as Horoya beat
Nigerian outfit Enyimba 2-0 at the Stade 28 Septembre in Conakry on Sunday to
progress to the semi-finals with a 3-1 aggregate victory.
And so, like Enugu Rangers, like Shooting Stars and the defunct Water Corporation of Ibadan, Nigerian clubs have failed to get results of the two top clubs of Guinea in Conakry – Hafia and Horoya.
For Enyimba, the first leg played in Aba last weekend ended 1-1 and the Guineans finished off the work at home with a comfortable win that earns them a date against Egyptian debutants Pyramids in the last four.
The goal brought the tie to life as far as attack was concerned, the two West African sides having battled for possession in the middle of the pack with little action in the final third.
The only other chance before the goal was another Sakin shot from range which went inches over.
The game gained some life after the goal with the home side being the more industrious upfront. Morlaye Sylla forced the Enyimba keeper to a brilliant save in the 38th minute when he drove in a thunderbolt from distance after dribbling through.
Sylla had another chance just two minutes this later, this time his bouncing header off a corner flying into the keeper’s arms.
Enyimba were forced into a tactical switch with three minutes left in the second half, Andrew Abalogu being thrown into the fray in place of Igho James.
The attacking change was meant to give Enyimba attacking impetus as they chose to go all out for an equalizer.
But, it was Horoya who created the better chances and on the hour mark, they should have gone two up, but Boniface Haba struck the ball high over the bar from close range after being beautifully teed up by Atta Agyei.
Six minutes later, Horoya were knocking on the door again, this time Agyei striking another blinder of a shot from range which came cracking under the bar.
The home side kept pushing and the Nigerian side was totally overwhelmed as they couldn’t even knit an effort at goal.
Nigerian forward Sakin broke the deadlock in the 27th minute with a sublime goal, curling the ball to the far post from the edge of the area after the Enyimba defense half halfheartedly cleared away a corner.
All their hopes were dashed seven minutes to time when defender Samassekou thumped in a header past the keeper after running to the edge of the six yard box to meet a corner curled in by Sylla.
With victory in sight and Enyimba looking far from a side capable of turning over the tie in seven minutes, Horoya carefully guarded the lead with Tafadzwa Kutinyu and Aristide Bance being introduced to run down the remaining minutes.
Moroccan side, Renaissance Sportive de Berkane secured a third continental title after drawing against Tanzania’s Simba Sports Club (2-0 in the first leg, 1-1 in the return).
Moroccan football’s representatives had the privilege of being the first to lift the new CAF trophy.
It is the fifth time they have played the final match of the competition, and they were successful in 2020 and 2022. In the return leg of the final match this Sunday, Berkane overcame challenges put in their way ahead of the match at the Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar.
The match got off to a flying start, with the hosts dominating, determined to open the scoring in the opening minutes of play. Once again, Berkane retreated into defence, a far cry from the spirit displayed in the first leg.
It took about fifteen minutes for Mouine Chaâbani’s men to truly get into the game.
While they launched their first dangerous attack, a missed opportunity in front of the opposing goal cost them dearly. On the ensuing counterattack, Simba’s Zambian striker, Joshua Mutale, beat goalkeeper Munir Mohamedi in the 17th minute.
The second half resumed with the same intensity, but the tension rose, especially after Simba attacking midfielder Yusuph Kagoma was sent off for a second yellow card.
Berkane then took a numerical advantage and regained control of the game.
Stung to the quick, the home side continued to engage in skirmishes, but without any real threat to goalkeeper Munir Mohamedi.
Yet, even with ten men down, Simba’s players gave the Berkanis a hard time, posing several threats.
Deliverance finally came in the 93rd minute thanks to Mamadou Lamine Camara, who scored the equaliser, in a closely contested duel, in a packed stadium, and under the eyes of Fouzi Lekjaa, president of the FRMF, as well as Walid Regragui, national coach.
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RS Berkane head coach Moine Chaabani says his side is fully focused and prepared for Sunday’s second leg of the Confederation Cup final against Tanzania’s Simba SC, as they seek to secure a third continental title.
The Moroccan club takes a 2-0 lead into the return leg at Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar following an early double from Mamadou Camara and Oussama Lamlaoui in the first leg in Berkane.
Speaking ahead of the crucial clash, Chaabani emphasized that his players have left nothing to chance.
“We are focused on the match, and we must adapt to all circumstances, no matter how difficult,” he said during the pre-match press conference.
“We came here to play a 90-minute match, and there is no room for distraction.”
The Tunisian tactician, who led the team to last year’s final only to suffer defeat against Zamalek, underlined the hunger within the squad to go one step further this time.
“We have worked hard since that disappointment, and today we are even more determined to win the title and bring the cup back to Morocco.”
RS Berkane will be boosted by the availability of key players Haitham Manout and Paul Valery, although final decisions on their involvement will be made after the last training session.
“All players are present. The decision on their participation will depend on their readiness,” he added.
Chaabani also pointed to his side’s growing experience in navigating difficult African environments, saying they are mentally conditioned for the high-stakes occasion.
“We have a strong immune system to handle these conditions, and we will manage our physical effort according to the match’s progress,” he said.
“We hope to rise to the occasion and succeed in pleasing the Berkane fans, who always support us, to win the title.”
The return leg kicks off at 13:00 GMT on Sunday. A draw or even a narrow defeat by a one-goal margin will be enough for Berkane to lift the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup trophy.
-CAF
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Following a 2-0 win for RS Berkane over Simba SC in the first leg of the 2024-25 CAF Confederation Cup Final in Berkane, Morocco, attention will turn to the return fixture on the island of Zanzibar this Sunday.
The match will be played at Amaan Stadium at 16h00 local time (13h00 GMT) and will be live across all CAF’s broadcast partners, including Azam Media, beIN Sport, Canal+, SuperSport, SABC and several other global platforms.
RS Berkane go to the second leg with the advantage after early goals from Mamadou Camara and Oussama Lamlaoui at home, but Simba SC have shown plenty of fighting spirit already this campaign and will be confident of overturning the deficit.
The winners of this year’s CAF Confederation Cup will be awarded a new trophy that will be unveiled later this week.
CAF and host club Simba SC are working closely together to ensure that the event in Zanzibar is a success.
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