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CAF Confederation Cup

CAF Confederation Cup quarters draw reignites Algeria-Morocco rivalry

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The political as well as sporting rivalry of Morocco and Algeria may have been reignited as both are pitched together in a potentially explosive quarter final duels.

Algeria prevented Morocco from attending last February African Nations Championships. It is to be seen whether the charged rivalry will come to the fore again as Algeria’s USM Alger will face Morocco’s AS FAR.

The Algerian side will host the first leg and it will be seen if another obstacle will be placed on the path of the Moroccans in travelling to Algeria.

That was the highlight of the draw conducted in Cairo on Wednesday.

Morocco’s FAR is the only team in the last eight which has previously won the competition, having been crowned champions in 2005 when they defeated the now defunct Dolphins of Nigeria.

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This was also the first time that the Moroccans were making it into the group stages since the 2006 season.

They continue their campaign for one more continental piece of silverware with the first leg being a trip to Algiers.

Meanwhile, Pyramids FC, finalists of the 2019-20 season have been drawn against debutants Marumo Gallants of South Africa, and the Egyptians start the first leg at home in Cairo.

At the same time, 1998 Champions Asec Mimosas will continue with their ambition for another title, and have been paired against Tunisian side US Monastir, and will start with the first leg away from home.

The quarter final draw was conducted by Opoku Nti, a former midfielder for the Black Stars of Ghana, who won the  CAF Champions League in 1983 with Asante Kototo before moving to Switzerland to play the rest of his club career.

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The last eight fixtures have been scheduled for the last week of April, with the first leg matches set for April 23 and the return fixtures a week later. The semis will be played on 14 and 21st May.

Meanwhile, the final is set to revert to the home and away format and will be played on June 4 and 11.

Full CAF Confederation Cup Draw

QF 1. Pyramids FC vs Marumo Gallants

QF 2. US Monastir vs Asec Mimosas

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QF 3. USM Alger vs AS FAR

QF 4. Rivers United vs Yanga

Semi-finals

QF4 vs QF1

QF2 vs QF3

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Kunle Solaja is the author of landmark books on sports and journalism as well as being a multiple award-winning journalist and editor of long standing. He is easily Nigeria’s foremost soccer diarist and Africa's most capped FIFA World Cup journalist, having attended all FIFA World Cup finals from Italia ’90 to Qatar 2022. He was honoured at the Qatar 2022 World Cup by FIFA and AIPS.

CAF Confederation Cup

‘Nzogbu Nzogbu’ Enyimba enyi as Enyimba limp into Confederation Cup Group stage!

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It was not easy, but the end justified the means. Enyimba had to go through the lottery of penalty shoot-out to get into the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup on Sunday in Uyo after playing a barren draw with visiting Etoile Filante of Burkina Faso.

 The first leg also ended goalless leading to penalty shoot-out as tie breaker. Enyimba won 3-2 on penalties.

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CAF Confederation Cup

CAF Confederation Cup: Enyimba target victory after Solid Showing in Bamako

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Enyimba FC head coach Yemi Olarenwaju has set his sights on securing a crucial victory in Sunday’s second leg of the CAF Confederation Cup tie against Étoile Filante de Ouagadougou.

His confidence is built on the  goalless draw in the first leg in Bamako.

“The job is far from over, and we can’t afford to celebrate yet. The return leg in Uyo will be crucial,” Olarenwaju was quoted by the club’s website as saying.

“We’ll go back to the drawing board, work harder, and prepare for the challenge ahead.”

Olarenwaju praised his team’s tactical edge and discipline, which nullified the hosts’ attacking threats. “We had a clear game plan, and the players executed it perfectly. Our tactical discipline prevented Étoile Filante de Ouagadougou from creating any meaningful scoring opportunities.”

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The Enyimba FC boss acknowledged the tough opposition but remains confident in his team’s ability to secure a win at home.

“Étoile Filante de Ouagadougou is a formidable opponent, but we have the quality and determination to get the job done in Uyo.”

As we look forward to the return leg, we urge all Enyimba FC fans to come out in their numbers and support the team at the Uyo Stadium. Let’s make our home advantage count and cheer the People’s Elephant to victory!

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CAF Confederation Cup

Enyimba’s midfielder, Daga confident of Confederation Cup group stage ticket

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Enyimba’s midfielder,  Daniel Daga, has pledged to lead club to victory against Etoile Filante in the return leg of the CAF Confederation Cup second round on Sunday.

The People’s Elephant are looking to build on their impressive performance in the first leg, which ended in a goalless draw in Bamako, Mali. Despite creating several scoring opportunities, Enyimba were unable to find the back of the net.

However, Daga remains optimistic about their chances in the return leg having missed the first leg of the encounter due to a slight knock

“Our resolve is to win and advance to the group stages,” he stated confidently. “We understand that they are a difficult opponent, but we have just one task, which is to win, and that is exactly what we are going to do.”

A win for Enyimba FC would guarantee their spot in the group stages, a feat that would make them the only Nigerian team in the competition’s group phase.

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“We know the importance of this match, and we’re ready to give it our all,” Daga added. “We want to make Nigeria proud and show that we’re a force to be reckoned with in African football.”

Head coach, Yemi Olarenwaju, has been fine-tuning his tactics, and the team is eager to execute their game plan.

“The first leg result gives us an advantage, but we won’t take anything for granted,” Olarenwaju said. “We’ll push for victory and secure our spot in the group stages.”

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