Five Things To Know About CAF Confederation Cup

Published

3 years ago

September 8, 2022

African debutants Future FC of Egypt and Royal AM of South Africa will be among 48 clubs challenging CAF Confederation Cup title-holders Renaissance Berkane of Morocco this season.

While the length of the continent separates them geographically, Future and Royal share the advantage of being well supported financially by owners desperate to make an impact in Africa.

Berkane will not be easily conquered, though, in a season that kicks off on Friday, having reached three of the last four finals and won two.

Here, AFP Sport lists five things to know about a competition launched in 2004, which is the African equivalent of the UEFA Europa League.

Berkane buoyant

Based in the northeastern citrus growing region, Berkane are known as the Orange Boys and have shown consistent improvement since a disappointing Confederation Cup debut seven years ago.

They lost the 2019 final on penalties to Zamalek, beat another Egyptian club, Pyramids, in the next title decider and edged Orlando Pirates of South Africa on penalties in the 2022 final.

Moroccan clubs usually hire local, north African or European coaches, but the latest Berkane success came under the guidance of Florent Ibenge from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Royal revel

Durban-based Royal burst on to the South African scene last season, finishing third in their Premiership debut, ahead of traditional giants Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs.

They subsequently lost Malawian coach John Maduka, who moved to top-flight rivals Maritzburg United, while leading scorer Victor Letsoalo was transferred to another Premiership outfit.

But the departures have not stopped a club funded by TV personality and businesswoman Shauwn Mkhize from being among those setting the pace in the new league season.

Future bright

Cairo club Future changed owners, changed its name from Coca-Cola FC, and finished fifth in their Egyptian Premier League debut last season.

Confederation Cup slots go to the clubs finishing third and fourth, but the CAF deadline for entries fell midway through the season so Future qualified as they were fourth at that stage.

Former Zamalek goalkeeper Mahmoud ‘Genesh’ Abdel Rahim is the best known member of a squad that includes stars from Cameroon, Ghana, Madagascar and Tunisia.

Nigerian hurdles

The closest a Nigerian club came to winning the competition was in 2005 when now defunct Dolphins finished runners-up to Moroccan opponents FAR Rabat.

No team from the most populous country in Africa has reached the final since and the chances of Kwara United or Remo Stars doing so this season are slim.

Kwara will face Berkane if they eliminate Douanes of Niger while Remo have a tough preliminary hurdle to clear in the shape of FAR.

Sfaxien struggle

Tunisian team CS Sfaxien hold the record for Confederation Cup titles with three, but they have performed poorly in recent campaigns.

They made a humiliating exit in the qualifying phase three seasons ago, and exited in the quarter-finals the following year and in the group stage last season.

Unless Sfaxien improve under coach Karim Dalhoum and captain/goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen, the chances of the trophy coming to Tunisia for a sixth time are remote.

AFP

AFCON: Osimhen Sends Message To Super Eagles Fans Globally After Nigeria’s Victory Over Algeria

Published

22 hours ago

January 10, 2026

Editor

Super Eagles forward, Victor Osimhen has shared a heartfelt message to the team’s fans around the globe following Nigeria’s 2-0 triumph against Algeria in the AFCON quarter-finals on Saturday.

Osimhen contributed to the win with a goal, while Akor Adams also found the back of the net, securing Nigeria’s progression to last-4 stage.

In a video posted on X after the match, Osimhen expressed his gratitude to Super Eagles supporters.

AFCON: Super Eagles Beat Algeria 2-0, To Play Morocco In Semi-final

Published

22 hours ago

January 10, 2026

Editor

Nigeria have qualified for the semi-final of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

The Super Eagles pulled off a stunning display to beat Algeria 2-0 in their quarter-final clash on Saturday evening, to book their spot.

Eric Chelle’s men dominated the Desert Foxes for most of the first half, but failed to find the back of the net.

The closest Nigeria came to opening the scoring, came when Calvin Bassey’s effort was cleared off the line.

But in the second half, Victor Osimhen headed in Bruno Onyemaechi’s cross, before setting up Akor Adams for the second goal.

The three-time African champions will now clash with the hosts Morocco for a place in the final.

AFCON: Nigerians React To 2-0 Against Algeria

Published

22 hours ago

January 10, 2026

Editor

Some Nigerian football fans have reacted to Super Eagles’ 2-0 win against Algeria in the AFCON quarter-final tie on Saturday.

DAILY POST reports that goals from Victor Osimhen and Akor Adams ensured Nigeria defeated the Desert Foxes.

Reacting, some Nigerians wondered how come the Super Eagles failed to qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup following their brilliant display against Algeria.

Others hailed Eric Chelle’s men for putting in a magnificent performance against the North Africans.

Here are some comments gathered by DAILY POST on X:

@WhispersAfrica5, “Massive respect to the Super Eagles! All those early morning sessions, tactical drills, and team unity have turned this squad into a beast. Beating Algeria so convincingly didn’t happen by chance, it’s pure graft and heart. On to Morocco.”

@AbrahamAsi18962, “All players deserve massive accolades. They all display magnificent performances. It has been a while I saw Nigeria played this way. Total dominance throughout.

@FemiAyo593554, “The whole of Nigeria Team.. on fire. Osayi so solid like it’s onyemeachi.. Bassey and Semi Ajayi so solid and compose. Bruno the crosser, Ndidi, Iwobi the passer, onyeka the tank . Lookman, Akor the dreadful one, Oshimen the great.. Kudos to Marhez for saying “I AM AFRAID”.

@DanielIheke, “That’s was awesome display, brilliant performance by the Super Eagles of Nigeria. Congrats.

@Panda_521, “How did this super eagles team not qualify for the world cup with players like Osimhen and co?”

@youngskidmusic_, “What a win against the second unbeaten team in the tournament. Eric Chell deserved a chilled bottle of wine. The other guy knew what he was saying when he said he was afraid of Nigeria. He said it and we did it.”

@harrysone9 “NFF cost Nigerians the joy and place in the World Cup, but thank God they got the appointment of Eric Chelle right. So far so good; the Super Eagles have been a joy to watch.
Nigeria has a better chance of winning the AFCON than Arsenal has of winning the EPL under Mikel Arteta.”

@DanielRegha, “Super Eagles need to start playing like a team that’s ready and hungry to win the tournament; Nigeria’s performance slightly improved today, but it’s still very dissapointing considering the depth of the sqaud. Step it up already.”

@___astroblvck, “How did we not qualify for the world cup?! this is a world class performance..kudos boys.”

@AFC_EMMI, “The real challengers have arrived, Morocco is next.”