CAF Confederation Cup
NIGERIAN FANS IN TUNIS HELPED ENUGU RANGERS TO HOLD SFAXIEN
Enugu Rangers went back to their base with a precious point
and top spot of the group after CS Sfaxien to a 1-1 draw in their Group B Day
Two clash away in Sfax.
The draw keeps Rangers at the top of the standings despite tied on four points
with Sfaxien.
Sfaxien fans vastly outnumbered the handful of Rangers fans that were present
in Taieb Mhiri Stadium.
Though their numbers were insignificant, the
Nigerian fans cheered Rangers relentlessly throughout the game, often singing
and dancing to fight the Tunisian cold weather.
Both goals were less than two minutes apart. Ala Marzougui was the first to
score for the home side on 71 minutes before Pape Ousmane Sane evened the score
a minute later.
Sfaxien went straight into attack from the early minutes of the game. Rangers’
goalkeeper Nana Bonsu’s skills helped him fend off Jassem Hamdouni’s efforts at
goal on seven minutes. The visitors responded in the 26th minute but Ayman
Dahmen had no trouble saving the shot by Msonter Shimanga.
Two minutes later, Heni Amamou struck a superb bicycle-kick but Bonsu deflected
to a corner, which was wasted by the host.
On 71 minutes, Nour Zammouri laid a cross which met the head of Marzougui for
the opener.
But Rangers had no intention of letting their hosts enjoy their moment. A
minute later, Dahmen spilled a free-kick and Sane tapped home the rebound for
the equalizer, and cut shot the joy of the ‘Black and White’.
In the 78th minute, Bobby Clement found himself in a one-on-one situation with
Sfaxien goalkeeper Dahmen, but the latter stepped out of his safe zone to
weather the storm as both sides shared the spoils.
Burkinabe torchbearers Salitas and Etoile du Sahel of Tunisia settled for a
barren draw in the other Group B clash in Ouagadougou.
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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