Egyptian powerhouse, Zamalek, who were on the brink of elimination by Djibouti’s Arta Solar, displayed their championship calibre with a hard-fought 4-1 victory.

This narrow win brought the aggregate scoreline to 4-3 in Zamalek’s favour, securing their place in the competition’s group stage.

The 2019 champions had experienced a shocking 2-0 defeat in the first leg and faced disappointment as Arta Solar took the lead in Cairo.

However, Zamalek, drawing on their championship pedigree, persevered and scored four impressive goals, sending their fans into raptures in a dramatic encounter.

Sierra Leone’s Kallon FC had an unfortunate exit from the competition as they settled for a 1-1 draw against Ghana’s Dreams FC, resulting in a 3-2 aggregate defeat.

Cote d’Ivoire’s Afad Djekanou suffered a disheartening 2-0 loss at home to Guinea’s CO Coyah, leading to their elimination from the competition as CO Coyah advanced with a 3-2 aggregate score.

In Rwanda, Rayon Sports also bid farewell to the competition in front of their home fans after playing to a 1-1 draw against Libya’s Al Hilal Benghazi.

The deadlock forced the two teams to determine the winner through a penalty shootout, following a similar scoreline in the first leg.

The weekend’s closing fixtures will wrap up on Sunday, promising more thrilling African football action with some of the continent’s top teams in action.

Caf Confederations Cup Fixtures
Sunday, 1 October
Saint Eloi Lupopo vs Sekhukhune United
Club Africain vs Bahir Dar Kenema
Rivers United vs Etoile Filante
Future FC vs Singida Fountain Gate
Academica do Lobito vs Al Merreikh
USM Alger vs FUS Rabat

Scheduled to kick off on Friday, October 20, 2023, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, the AFL’s opening match will showcase Simba SC from Tanzania facing off against Al Ahly SC from Egypt.

The Prize Money for the AFL is as follows:
$4 000 000 (R75 Million) for the Winner
$3 000 000 (R56 Million) for the Runner-up
$1 700 000 (R32 Million) for each of the Semi-finalists
$1 000 000 (R18.9 Million) for each of the Quarter-finalists

The prize money at stake is remarkably attractive and competitive, with the winners needing just six matches to claim the substantial prize pool of $4,000,000.

Among the notable and top-ranking football clubs participating in this inaugural AFL edition are Enyimba FC (Nigeria), Wydad AC (Morocco), Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa), TP Mazembe (DR Congo), Esperance Sportive de Tunis (Tunisia) and Atletico Petroleos de Luanda (Angola).

The AFL represents a collaborative effort between CAF and FIFA. One of its primary objectives is to elevate the quality of African club football to a global competitive level and ensure the commercial viability of African football clubs.

Additionally, the AFL aims to foster the development and nurturing of youth football talent across the African continent.
CAF’s overarching goal is to ensure that all 54 CAF Member Associations, including those without representation in the AFL, benefit and receive financial support from the commercial success and viability of this prestigious tournament

The thrilling Caf Confederation Cup match was played at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on a Friday night.

Both teams showcased captivating displays and generated numerous scoring opportunities during the first half, resulting in a halftime score of 0-0.

However, it was the home team that broke the deadlock in the 57th minute, courtesy of Nigerian international Etiosa Ighodaro, who capitalised on a brilliant assist from Ronald Pfumbidzai.

Ighodaro further embellished his performance by completing a brace in the 72nd minute.
In the 76th minute, Matsatsantsa executed double substitutions, with Pfumbidzai being replaced by Terrence Dzvukamanja, and Bradley Grobler stepping in for the two-goal hero, Ighodaro.

Matsatsantsa continued to assert their dominance, culminating in substitute Grobler finding the back of the net in the 90th minute, solidifying their commanding lead.
The match concluded with a final score of 3-0 in favor of the home side, SuperSport United.

The much-anticipated second leg clash is set to take place on Friday night at the iconic New Peter Mokaba Stadium, which served as a venue during the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

The match is scheduled to kick off at 7pm.

This match is of paramount importance for Matsatsantsa, as they are determined to secure a victory after playing to a hard-fought 1-1 draw with the Gaborone-based outfit a fortnight ago.

The turning point in the previous encounter came three minutes into the second half when Keenan Bezuidenhout, a product of the DStv Diski Challenge squad, found the back of the net, putting Matsatsantsa in the lead.

While it seemed that SuperSport United was poised to return home with a positive result, the Botswana outfit managed to level the score during the referee’s added time, setting the stage for an electrifying rematch.

In this second leg encounter, SuperSport United is determined to capitalize on their home-ground advantage, drawing support not only from the Limpopo province but also from their fan base in the Gauteng province, where they are based.

he fervent backing of their loyal supporters is expected to play a pivotal role in their quest for victory.

Nigerian striker Chibuike Ohizu scored the opening goal for Sekhukhune United just 12 minutes into the game, putting his team ahead.

FC Saint Eloi Lupopo responded quickly with a goal by teenager Mokonzi Katumbwe, equalizing the score just three minutes after Ohizu’s goal.

Sekhukhune United regained the lead just before halftime with Jamie Webber scoring a goal.
Tresor Tshibwabwa, another Congolese player, extended Sekhukhune United’s lead with a well-taken third goal after the halftime break.

The second leg of this matchup is scheduled for 29th September, with both Sekhukhune and their opponent, FC Saint Eloi Lupopo, defending their advantages.

In another match on the same day, Gaborone United from Botswana and Supersport United from South Africa played to a 1-1 draw.

The winners of the second qualifying round ties will advance to the play-off round, bringing them closer to reaching the CAF Confederation Cup group stage.

Zinedine Belaid, the captain of USM Alger, scored the only goal of the match with a penalty in the first half. The penalty was awarded after a VAR consultation for a handball in the box.

Despite dominating possession and creating more chances, Al Ahly was unable to find the back of the net, thanks in part to the inspired performance of USM Alger’s goalkeeper, Oussama Benbot.

Al Ahly thought they had equalized early in the match, but the goal was ruled out for offside. In the second half, Al Ahly continued to press for an equalizer, with players like Tau and Ali Maaloul forcing saves from the Algerian goalkeeper.

USM Alger defended heroically throughout the match, holding onto their slim lead despite intense pressure from Al Ahly.

This win for USM Alger avenges their defeat to Al Ahly in the same final two years ago. For Al Ahly, this loss ended their hopes of achieving a sweep of trophies for the season, having already claimed the Egyptian league and CAF Champions League.

USM Alger’s victory in this historic match was a significant achievement for the club and demonstrated their progress under coach Abdelhak Benchikha.

The first leg of the preliminary round will take place at the Botswana National Stadium on Saturday evening.

“Remember we have an experienced technical team, we have a great coach in Gavin Hunt and also Andre Arendse who has played crucial games for Bafana Bafana away from home,” the player told Supersport United website.

“So I cannot pre-empt what advice we have been getting from the technical team ahead of a crucial encounter but I am sure it’s definitely something that is helpful towards the big game on Saturday night.

“Playing away from home alone is not easy, away from your fans, the travelling and change of climate is definitely not in our advantage.

“So, having to adapt to the environment can be a challenge as well especially for new players who don’t have experience to play on the continent.

“But this is where some of us who have the experience come in handy to steady the ship and make sure we sail to safety and come out with a positive result.

The veteran goalkeeper joined Supersport United at the beginning of the season from Marumo Gallants.

The Zimbabwean international shared his thoughts on what Supersport United need to do in order to eliminate their opponents.

“What I know about Gaborone United, if I’m not mistaken they were runners-up in their league last season, so it means they are a good side. “We must treat this one like a Cup final and fight for a positive result because coming second in a 16-team league is not an easy one.”

The South African international has already won the Caf Super Cup, Caf Champions League, twice the Egyptian Super Cup, Egyptian Cup and Egyptian League title.

The upcoming showdown between Al Ahly and USM Alger at King Fahd Stadium in Taif, Saudi Arabia, is set to determine the kings of African club football for the 2022/23 season.

Al Ahly enters the match as the favourites, boasting an impressive record in the competition with eleven appearances, eight victories, and two losses, making them the most successful club in this tournament’s history.

Their opponents, USM Alger from Algeria, are making their debut in the competition. They have the opportunity to etch their name in the rich history of Algerian football by becoming the second Algerian club to win the CAF Super Cup.

The first was ES Setif, who defeated Al Ahly in a dramatic penalty shootout in 2015 to claim the title.

Al Ahly’s journey in the CAF Champions League during the 2022/23 season started slowly but gained momentum when it mattered most. They secured their 11th CAF Champions League gold medal with a 3-2 victory over arch-rivals Wydad Casablanca of Morocco, equaling the record.

USM Alger, on the other hand, secured their first-ever continental title by defeating Tanzania’s Young Africans in a two-legged affair.

This historic win not only marked a significant achievement for the club but also earned them the opportunity to vie for the title of African club football kings if they can overcome the formidable Al Ahly in the upcoming match.

The clash promises to be an exciting and historic encounter, as Al Ahly looks to add another accolade to their illustrious history, while USM Alger aims to make a memorable debut in the CAF Super Cup and leave their mark in African football.

The match will be will be contested between current CAF Champions League champions, Al Ahly, and Algeria’s USMA Alger, the champions of the CAF Confederation Cup. The match is set to be played in the city of Taif at the iconic King Fahd Stadium.

CAF General Secretary, Veron Mosengo-Omba, said: “We are excited to take the TotalEnergies CAF Super Cup to a new territory in Saudi Arabia – a country that has been making significant strides in global football.

“African football ranks amongst the best in the world right now, and it’s fitting that, in an era where many international stars are heading to Saudi Arabia, African Football is also a part of this movement.

“On behalf of CAF President, Dr Patrice Motsepe, I would like to thank the Saudi Arabia Football family for their cooperation and we look forward to what will be an exciting TotalEnergies CAF Super Cup.”

Ibrahim Alkassim, SAFF General Secretary said: “Our collaboration with CAF to host this event exemplifies our commitment to partnering with CAF in event hosting and match organization in line with our existing partnership.

“This event marks yet another milestone in our ongoing collaboration. On behalf of SAFF President, Yasser Al Misehal, we thank CAF for this opportunity and we look forward to a remarkable match for everyone involved.”

The Limpopo-based side lost the first leg away 2-0. “Young Africans did their homework very well, they were sitting back knowing that they have speed to rely on counter attacks,” said Marumo Gallants coach Raymond Mdaka after the match.

Young Africans broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time courtesy of Fiston Mayele after a mistake by Ayanda Nkili.

Twelve minutes after the interval, Gallants thought they had pulled one back when Ranga Chivaviro headed in Lesiba Nku’s cross only to be ruled offside.

The visitors doubled the lead midway through the first half when Kennedy Musonda converted Mayele’s cross. Chivaviro managed to score on the 90th minute but it was a little too late.

“In the first minutes I thought we were able to manage the game until we conceded after giving our way a ball possession,” added Mdaka.

“The second one was also on the counter attack where they relied on the speed of their striker [Mayele].

“They realised the weakness in our defence in terms of speed. Other than that, I thought our boys played well. We had a number of chances that we could not convert but well done to Yanga. But we have done well by reaching this point of the competition.”
By Zola Doda