Kaizer Chiefs were drawn with Egyptian giants Zamalek in the African Confederation Cup group phase but avoided being paired in the same group with Stellenbosch.

Chiefs will also take on Al Masry from Egypt and Zambia’s Zesco United in a tough Group D.

Stellenbosch, who were semi-finalists in the competition last season, will be up against top-seeded Chabab Belouizdad of Algeria in Group C as well as AS Otoho from Congo and Tanzanian newcomers Singida Black Stars.

Chiefs’ clash with Zamalek will be the first between the two giants since they met in the old-style African Champions Cup in 1993, which was the first year that South African teams participated in continental club competition.

Chiefs won the first leg in Johannesburg 2-1 but lost 1-0 away in the return match to go out on the away goals rule in the third round of the competition.

Chiefs have also met other Egyptian opposition in Ismalia, who they eliminated on their way to winning the 2001 African Cup Winners’ Cup, and Al Ahly, who they lost to in the 2021 Champions League final.

Chiefs have also played previously against Zesco United in the 2018-19 Confederation Cup where the Zambian club beat them both home and away for a 5-2 aggregate triumph.

Stellenbosch will be up against Belouizdad and their coach Saed Ramovic, who when he was in charge of TS Galaxy was never able to post a win over the Winelands club, including losing the Carling Knockout final two seasons ago.

AS Otoho from Congo lost to Cape Town City in the Champions League three seasons ago.

The top two finishers in each of the four groups advance to the quarter-finals in March.

The Confederation Cup group phase starts on Sunday, 23 November, and will continue through to mid-February.

THE DRAW:

Group A: USM Alger (Algeria), Djoliba (Mali), Olympique Safi (Morocco), San Pedro (Ivory Coast)

Group B: Azam (Tanzania), Maniema Union (DR Congo), Nairobi United (Kenya), Wydad Casablanca (Morocco)

Group C: Chabab Belouizdad (Algeria), AS Otoho (Congo), Singida Black Stars (Tanzania), Stellenbosch (South Africa)

Group D: Al Masry (Egypt), Kaizer Chiefs (South Africa), Zamalek (Egypt), Zesco United (Zambia)

 

South African club Kaizer Chiefs scored three goals for the first time since March to beat Simba from the Democratic Republic of Congo 3-1 on Sunday in a CAF Confederation Cup qualifier.

The victory in Soweto followed a goalless first leg last weekend in the final qualifying round for the group stage in the African equivalent of the Uefa Europa League.

Chiefs won 3-1 on aggregate and the other 15 qualifiers included the second South African contenders, Stellenbosch, who hammered 15 Agosto of Equatorial Guinea 4-1 in Cape Town after a goalless first leg.

Nigerian Etiosa Ighodaro put Chiefs ahead inside three minutes, Zitha Kwinika doubled the lead and Congolese Makabi Lilepo made it 3-0 with a powerful header off a corner on 25 minutes.

A late Aden McCarthy own-goal flattered Simba, who were competing in Africa for the first time after winning the Congolese FA Cup.

Amakhosi will progress to the #TotalEnergiesCAFCC group stages ✌️⚽#SSFootball pic.twitter.com/SKq52XaCMm

— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) October 26, 2025

Stellenbosch, who have been struggling to score, hit four for the second time in five days as they cruised into the mini-league phase, with the draw scheduled for November 3 in Johannesburg.

Alex de Jong, recently recalled by 2026 World Cup qualifiers New Zealand, was among the scorers for 2025 Confederation Cup semifinalists Stellenbosch.

Onward. Stellenbosch FC qualify for the group stage. 🚀🇿🇦#TotalEnergiesCAFCC pic.twitter.com/qDhDaxNF8c

— TotalEnergies CAFCL & CAFCC 🏆 (@CAFCLCC) October 26, 2025

An unexpected participant in the draw, which will divide the 16 survivors into four groups, will be Nairobi United of Kenya.

They lost 2-0 to two-time Confederation Cup winners Etoile Sahel of Tunisia in Mediterranean resort Sousse, leaving the clubs level at 2-2 on aggregate.

But newly promoted Kenyan Premier League outfit Nairobi won the penalty shootout 7-6 to become the second club after Gor Mahia from the east African nation to reach the Confederation Cup group stage.

Other qualifiers include two former winners, Zamalek of Egypt and USM Alger of Algeria.

ZESCO United of Zambia reached the CAF Confederation Cup group stage for the first time since 2019 after drawing 1-1 with Jwaneng Galaxy in Botswana on Saturday.

Chad international Amine Hiver put the visitors ahead in first half added time and Thabang Sesinyi equalised with eight minutes of regular time remaining of the return match.

A second Galaxy goal would have given them overall victory on away goals in the final round qualifier, but ZESCO held on to advance 5-4 on aggregate.

ZESCO are bankrolled by the national power supplier in Zambia and their best African performance was reaching the 2016 CAF Champions League semifinals.

Jwaneng were not the only would-be surprise packets from southern Africa to fall just short in pursuit of places in the November 3 group draw.

Royal Leopard from Eswatini exceeded expectations last weekend by forcing a 1-1 draw in Kinshasa against Maniema Union from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The scoreline was repeated in the second leg with Felix Badenhorst equalising for Leopards in the final minute after Dieumerci Lupini had given the Congolese a seventh-minute lead.

With the teams locked at 2-2 on aggregate, the tie went to a penalty shootout which Maniema won 4-3 to reach the group phase for the first time in the African equivalent of the Uefa Europa League.

Singida Black Stars of Tanzania scored three second-half goals at home to beat Flambeau Centre of Burundi 3-1, and 4-2 on aggregate.

Congolese Horso Mwaku, Zambian Clatous Chama and Ivorian Idriss Diomande netted for Singida in a 20-minute spell after David Irishura had given Flambeau a 1-0 halftime advantage.

Algerian club USM Alger, one of three former Confederation Cup winners in the field this season, hammered Academie FAD of the Ivory Coast 3-0 to advance after losing the first leg to a solitary goal.

Kaizer Chiefs were forced to play long balls because of the pitch conditions but felt their tactics were spot on, according to co-coach Khalid Ben Youssef as they drew 0-0 away in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Saturday.

Chiefs were up against AS Simba at the TP Mazembe Stadium in Lubumbashi in the first leg of their African Confederation Cup second round tie, chasing a place in the group phase.

“In this kind of pitch, you can’t play,” moaned Ben Youssef, “so we were only playing long ball like them.

“The plan of the game was to manage the first 45 minutes; first we don’t concede, then we know that the opponents will take a lot of risk. They will try to press higher and they will leave us a lot of space. Then we will introduce Mduduzi Shabalala, Ashley du Preez and Wandile Duba to give us the speed up front,” the coach explained.

“In the first half, we got two opportunities to score. We were unlucky. One of them hit the crossbar from Khanyisa Mayo, and the second in the 88th minute, was a good combination between Shabalala, Mfundo Vilakazi and then Shabalala passed to Ashley. He was unlucky, even if it was an empty goal.

“But I think we succeeded in the plan of the game, how we managed the first 45 minutes, and we knew that in the second half we will find a lot of space.”

Chiefs have an advantage now for next week’s second leg at the Dobsonville Stadium but Ben Youssef warned the tie was not done and dusted.

“I think it will be tough for us. It will be difficult, the Simba team is a good team. They showed us a lot of quality today. It’s a physical team, not a tactical or technical team. A lot of physique.

“We’ll have time to analyse again, this game, and prepare our team for the second leg. Our target is to get into the group stage, then to manage game by game, and we try to do our best to make our fans happy.”

Stellenbosch coach Steve Barker said his side had to overcome difficult conditions in holding hosts FC 15 de Agosto of Equatorial Guinea to a goalless draw in their African Confederation Cup second round, first leg tie on Saturday.

The pitch at Ebebiyin Stadium, deep in the interior of the country and near the border with Cameroon, plus the humid conditions, made it a tough assignment for the South African club, who reached the Confederation Cup semifinals last year.

“It was not an easy encounter, with a lot of difficulties within the game, the weather, the conditions, the pitch, but I think we apply ourselves well for the majority of the game,” said Barker as the squad readied to head home on Sunday.

“We were the better team. It's unfortunate we weren't able to convert one or two of the chances that we created. But we did well to come out of these conditions, having not conceded. So, yeah, we prepared and ready to go back home, and then hopefully get the job done, so we can get to the group stage side. Of course, unfortunately, no away goal but a big clean sheet to take back home.”

Stellenbosch host the return leg on Saturday at the Athlone Stadium with a place in the 16-team group phase at stake.

“We just need to still continue working on our opportunities that we're creating and converting more of those opportunities,” added Barker, who added he felt Stellenbosch were in a strong position in the tie.

“I think the obvious mindset is now prepping and focusing on Wednesday’s big league, and once we finish with that, then we'll start preparing once again for the second leg.”

Stellenbosch, who sit second from bottom in the Betway Premiership standings, host Lamontville Golden Arrows on Wednesday.

Kaizer Chiefs new striker Khanyisa Mayo has been added to Kaizer Chiefs’ list of registered players for this season’s African Confederation Cup and will likely lead the attack on Saturday when they take on AS Simba of the Democratic Republic of Congo at the TP Mazembe Stadium in Lubumbashi.

There are several windows of opportunity to register players with the Confederation of African Football to play in continental competition and Mayo has had his paperwork sorted after he missed Chiefs’ narrow win over Angola’s Kabuscorp in the first round.

The 27-year-old Mayo, who scored on his league debut after joining on loan from Chabab Belouizdad of Algeria, adds to the firepower as Chiefs look for a positive away result in their second round, first leg tie.

It is also expected that Saturday’s clash will mark a first outing for Lebogang Maboe, who was signed on free transfer after being released from his contract at Mamelodi Sundowns.

The 31-year-old Maboe, whose injury woes in recent seasons have stymied his progress, last played on the final day of the previous league season in May, when he ended his loan spell at SuperSport United.

Chiefs also have Mfundo Vilakazi, back in their squad. He had been in Chile with South Africa’s under-20 team who made it past the first round but were eliminated in the last 16.

 

The Glamour Boys arrived safely today in Lubumbashi, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, ahead of Saturday's CAF Confederation Cup match against AS Simba.#Amakhosi4Life pic.twitter.com/Qg2sO0kv4t

— Kaizer Chiefs (@KaizerChiefs) October 16, 2025

 

Chiefs travelled with a 22-man squad to Lubumbashi on Thursday, which included Rwanda goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari.

He refused to come off the pitch when coach Khalid Ben Youssef was seeking to substitute him near the end of their last match against Stellenbosch, and it was expected he would face some sanction from the club.

Ben Youssef wanted Bruce Bvuma in goal for the post-match penalty shootout, but Ntwari waved away the coach, and then saved only one of Stellenbosch’s six kicks as the home team knocked Chiefs out of the competition.

Ntwari kept goal for his country in Nelspruit on Tuesday as they lost 3-0 to South Africa, who qualified for the World Cup.

Chiefs host the second leg of their tie against the Congolese newcomers at Dobsonville Stadium next Saturday.

Zambian club Zesco United overcome a two-goal first-leg deficit by trouncing Gabonese visitors FC 105 5-0 on Sunday to reach the final round of Caf Confederation Cup qualifying.

The hosts made a dream start with David Simukonda and Kabaso Chongo scoring within six minutes of the kick-off to level the first-round tie on aggregate.

Alex Ngonga added a third goal before halftime and Kelvin Kampamba, from a penalty, and Chad international Amine Hiver netted in the second half for United.

Zesco, who are sponsored by the state-owned national power company, are making a ninth appearance in the African equivalent of the Uefa Europa League.

Their best Confederation Cup performance was in 2017 when they reached the quarterfinals before losing on away goals to now-defunct South African side SuperSport United.

Zesco will face Botswana outfit Jwaneng Galaxy in the second round during October, with a place among the 16 qualifiers for the group phase on the line.

Jwaneng won a penalty shootout against Malawian visitors Mighty Wanderers 6-5 after the Southern African clubs tied 1-1 on aggregate.

The disappointing record by Nigerian clubs in the second-tier African competition continued with both Kwara United and Abia Warriors failing to get past the first round.

'NIGERIANS FAIL'

After losing a first-leg thriller 4-3 away to two-time African champions Asante Kotoko of Ghana, hopes were high that Kwara would succeed in Abeokuta, 100 kilometres north of the commercial capital, Lagos.

But after the goal fest in Ghana, only one was scored in Nigeria, and the strike from Hubert Gyau on 54 minutes gave Kotoko a 1-0 win and a 5-3 overall victory.

Kotoko next face 2025 Club World Cup qualifiers Wydad Casablanca, a Moroccan side who have won five Caf competitions, including the most prestigious, the Champions League, three times.

Abia travelled to Mali for a return match against experienced African campaigners Djoliba as underdogs, having been held 1-1 in Nigeria last weekend.

The second leg in Bamako was decided by a solitary goal, with Raye Cisse scoring from a header 31 minutes into the first half. His effort earned Djoliba a last-32 showdown with USFA of Burkina Faso.

Kaizer Chiefs, the most popular South African club, needed a penalty shootout in Johannesburg to eliminate Kabuscorp of Angola after both sides won 1-0 at home.

Aden McCarthy, the 21-year-old son of former Chiefs star Fabian McCarthy, converted the spot kick that gave his club a 5-4 win on penalties.

African debutants Simba from the Democratic Republic of Congo edged Djabal from the Comoros 1-0 in a delayed first leg in southern Congolese city Lubumbashi and the winners of that tie will face Chiefs.

CAF Confederation Cup contenders Djoliba of Mali hope gifts of motorbikes can steer them to success in a competition where they once finished runners-up.

Officials at the Bamako club, who have dominated domestic football with neighbours Stade Malien for decades, told reporters they had motivated the squad by presenting 21 motorbikes to players.

But the Djoliba bosses said the gifts came with conditions, including that they must be used exclusively for training and matchdays.

"The bikes must not be used for social activities, or for commercial purposes. We presented the gifts to ensure our boys arrive early for matches and achieve success," an official said.

Motorbikes are a popular mode of transport in many west African countries with the purchase and running of cars beyond the financial reach of most citizens.

Djoliba, who lost 4-3 on aggregate to AC Leopards of Congo Brazzaville in the 2012 Confederation Cup final, want to emulate arch rivals Stade, surprise winners of the trophy three years earlier.

However, just getting past the two-round qualifying stage in the African equivalent of the Uefa Europa League, poses challenges for Djoliba.

Their first opponents, on consecutive weekends in September, will be African debutants Abia Warriors, who finished third in the highly competitive Nigeria Premier Football League.

Should Djoliba win that two-leg tie, they will meet the winners of another west African derby, between USFA of Burkina Faso and AS Gbohloe-Su des Lacs of Togo, for a place in the group phase.

CASH BOOST

Being among the 16 qualifiers for the mini-leagues guarantees each club $400 000 (€345 000), with the prize money progressively rising to $2mn for the winners.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) last season responded to numerous complaints about the high cost of competing in continental competitions by giving qualifying-phase losers $50 000 each.

This has been doubled to $100 000 for the forthcoming campaign – a huge boost given travel and accommodation costs in a continent where flight options are limited and relatively expensive.

While Djoliba dream of glory, the odds are that the 2025-26 Confederation Cup winners will come from one of four north African countries – Algeria, Egypt, Morocco or Tunisia.

Clubs from those nations have won 17 of the 22 editions, led by Renaissance Berkane of Morocco and CS Sfaxien of Tunisia with three titles each.

Berkane will not defend a title won last May with a 3-1 overall victory over Simba of Tanzania as they will make a maiden appearance in the CAF Champions League instead.

Twice winners Zamalek of Egypt, Wydad Casablanca of Morocco, 2023 title-holders USM Alger and fellow Algerians Chabab Belouizdad are among the clubs who could succeed Berkane.

Morocco’s Renaissance Berkane won the African Confederation Cup on Sunday, holding on for a 1-1 draw against 10-man Simba of Tanzania away in the second leg of the final for a 3-1 aggregate victory.

A two-goal advantage from last week’s home first leg provided the foundation for a third success in the Confederation Cup in the last six years for the club from the north-east of Morocco.

CHAMPIONS. HISTORY. RS BERKANE! 🏆

A historic moment for the Moroccans, winning the 2024/25 #TotalEnergiesCAFCC title! 🇲🇦 pic.twitter.com/MMiLhQhyM4

— TotalEnergies CAFCL & CAFCC 🏆 (@CAFCLCC) May 25, 2025

But they endured a difficult afternoon at the Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar as Simba went ahead in the 15th minute through Joshua Mutale and then missed a gilt-edge chance in front of goal minutes later.

Simba had midfielder Yusuph Kagoma sent off five minutes into the second half for a second cautionable offence and two more members of their technical staff were sent to the stands in a tempestuous encounter.

Despite the one-man disadvantage, Simba had the ball in the Berkane net again in the 73rd minute after Steven Mukwala glanced home Jean Charles Aboua’s free kick but the goal was ruled offside after a lengthy VAR check.

Berkane then made sure of success when substitute Soumaila Sidibe snatched an equaliser from a tight angle at the start of nine minutes of stoppage time.

It crowned a dream season for Berkane, who won a first Moroccan league title earlier in the season. Their third Confederation Cup success equals the record for the most successes in the competition, held by Tunisia’s CS Sfaxien.

YOUR #TotalEnergiesCAFCC 2024/25 CHAMPIONS ARE HERE. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/JqVzkziAw8

— TotalEnergies CAFCL & CAFCC 🏆 (@CAFCLCC) May 25, 2025

Following the launch of a brand new trophy of the TotalEnergies Caf Champions League on Thursday last week, Caf on Sunday launched a new trophy for the TotalEnergies Caf Confederation in Zanzibar ahead of the Confederation Cup final match.

The trophy for the Confédération Africaine de Football (Caf) Interclub competition has been re-imagined into a stunning new design that is befitting of the rich history of the prestigious tournament.

The two teams involved in Sunday's Confederation Cup final are RS Berkane of Morocco and Tanzanian club, Simba SC. The first leg ended with RS Berkane winning 2-0.

A CAF Confederation Cup final venue dispute has overshadowed the second leg between Simba of Tanzania and Renaissance Berkane of Morocco in the Indian Ocean island of Zanzibar on Sunday.

Hosts Simba, who trail 2-0 after the first leg last weekend, wanted to stage the return match at the 60 000-seat Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

But an inspection of the national stadium in the Tanzanian commercial capital by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) ruled that it was unsuitable for the title decider.

Instead, CAF ordered the second leg to be played at the Amaan Stadium, a 15 000-seater in Zanzibar, which is a three-hour ferry journey from Dar es Salaam.

A popular tourist resort, Zanzibar is a Tanzanian archipelago off the coast of East Africa and consists of two main islands and many small ones.

The origins of the venue dispute can be traced to Benjamin Mkapa Stadium last month, where Simba beat Egyptian visitors Al Masry on penalties in a quarterfinal after a 2-2 aggregate tie.

A pitch littered with divots and muddy patches led to a poor football and Caf told Simba to move their semifinal against South African club Stellenbosch to Zanzibar.

Ahead of the final, Simba owner Mo Dewji pleaded with Caf president Patrice Motsepe to allow Dar es Salaam host the second leg.

CAF responded by thanking Tanzanian officials for their efforts to make Benjamin Mkapa Stadium a suitable venue, but stood by the decision to play the second leg in Zanzibar.

"Naturally, this outcome is disheartening, not only for Simba, but for our supporters. It does not feel fair," Dewji then said in a statement.

"We will go to Zanzibar not by choice, but by duty. We will fulfil that duty with unity, purpose and pride.

COOL RECEPTION

"To our players, I say – walk into Amaan Stadium with your heads held high. Play with courage, clarity and composure, like the soldiers you are.

"The venue may have changed, but the lion (Simba) remains the same. Our mission is clear – we go to Zanzibar ready to fight."

Berkane reportedly received a cool reception when they arrived in Zanzibar with a technical glitch at passport control, forcing them to spend several hours at the airport.

A spokesman for the Moroccan club told reporters the conditions were "chaotic, unacceptable and unworthy of a continental competition of this level".

Berkane, who are seeking a record-equalling third Confederation Cup title after victories in 2020 and 2022, also said there was no formal welcome or logistical support from Simba.

Goals from Senegalese Mamadou Camara and Oussama Lamlioui, the joint leading scorer in the competition this season, within 14 minutes of the kick-off gave Berkane the two-goal advantage.

Tunisian coach Mouin Chaabani, seeking a ninth title in a club career spanning his homeland, Egypt and Morocco, said "a two-goal victory in a first leg is never completely comfortable.

"Scoring an away goal can make a huge difference," he added, alluding to the fact that if Berkane score once, Simba would have to score four times to lead on aggregate.

South Africa-born Simba coach Fadlu Davids is chasing his first trophy and admitted that not facing Berkane in Dar es Salaam is a blow because they will have 45 000 less supporters.

"We conceded those early goals in Morocco because, although tactically prepared, we were not mentally ready. I am optimistic we can perform better in Zanzibar," he said.

The winners of the African equivalent of the Uefa Europa League receive two million dollars (1.8 million euros) and the runners-up one million.

All eyes turn to Amaan Stadium this Sunday at 5pm CAT as Simba SC and RS Berkane lock horns in a high-stakes finale to the 2024-25 TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup.

With Berkane carrying a 2-0 advantage from the first leg, Simba SC will need all their resilience, firepower, and home support in Zanzibar to stage a thrilling comeback.

The atmosphere promises to be electric as Simba SC look to overturn the deficit and snatch continental glory, while RS Berkane aim to seal their triumph on foreign soil. With a brand-new trophy awaiting the winner and a place in CAF history at stake, this clash is set to deliver drama, passion, and football at its finest.

Tune into SuperSport as Africa’s best battle for supremacy - this is one final you won’t want to miss!

 

Stellenbosch coach Steve Barker says he and his team are desperate for a return to African club competition next season because it allows them a higher standard of opponent that is of great benefit to their domestic form.

Stellenbosch reached the African Confederation Cup semifinal in their debut foray into Africa this season and Saturday’s 2-1 home win over SuperSport United in the Betway Premiership maneuvered them into pole position for a return to the competition.

Victory secured 💪

Stellenbosch FC 2️⃣–1️⃣ SuperSport Utd pic.twitter.com/VFCvcy9sCS

— Stellenbosch FC (@StellenboschFC) May 17, 2025

The third placed finisher in this season’s league race qualifies for the Confederation Cup, along with the Nedbank Cup winner Kaizer Chiefs.

Stellenbosch were fourth before the penultimate matchday on Saturday but Sekhukhune’s 1-1 draw with Chiefs allowed Stellenbosch to go above them by one point in the Betway Premiership standings.

Barker’s side will make sure of third place if they win next Saturday’s derby against Cape Town City on the last matchday of the league season.

“I think we all as coaches and players want to be playing against top opposition, the best on the continent and have the experience of playing against teams like Zamalek or the experience of playing against Simba (Tanzania),” he told Supersport.com

“For me, it is just really special, and I think the players enjoyed it. Yes, obviously, it makes it tough but at the end of the day, we are professionals, and we want to play football and want to play as many games as we can because if you're doing that, you are being successful.”

Saturday’s victory over SuperSport was the 50th game of the season for Stellenbosch, who also got to the MTN8 final at the start of the season.

“In our first season (in African club competition), we learned a lot of lessons and I think going into it again, we would be a better prepared and we also have a desire to win any competition that we played,” Barker added.

The coach said many lessons were learnt on their African travels and made them a better side in the domestic competitions.

“I think it's just made us a little bit smarter, wiser and more able to assert game management.

“I’ve always said (Mamelodi) Sundowns have an advantage in our league because of the very experience they’ve gained over many years (in African club competition), so we gained a bit of that experience too.

“Obviously we’re not as experienced as them, but hopefully we can learn quickly. I just think it gives you that feel of playing it against big teams and there's no reason why we can't believe we can continue to challenge at the top,” Barker conclude.

Moroccan club Renaissance Berkane are expected to beat Tanzanian rivals Simba in the two-leg CAF Confederation Cup final, but coach Mouin Chaabani wishes they were not the favourites.

"There are no winners in football before matches are played," the 43-year-old Tunisian told reporters ahead of the first leg in Berkane on Saturday.

"Simba have a proud history in this competition and are deserving finalists. They have earned the right to compete for the title.

"However, provided we put in the effort and prepare properly, there is no reason why we cannot bring the trophy to Morocco."

Chaabani, who won seven trophies as coach of Esperance in his homeland, is seeking a treble with Berkane in this campaign.

The Orange Boys have already won the Moroccan league for the first time since being formed in 1938, have reached the last 16 in the national cup, and are seeking African glory.

Berkane are appearing in a fifth Confederation Cup final in seven seasons. They triumphed in 2020 and 2022 and were runners-up in 2019 and 2024.

The club from the citrus producing east of Morocco have a remarkable home record in the African equivalent of the Uefa Europe League with 42 victories, six draws and no losses.

Berkane did not concede in six home games en route to the final while putting five goals past Dadje of Benin and Stellenbosch of South Africa and four past CS Constantine of Algeria.

INTIMIDATING STADIUM

They won 10 of 12 matches, drew one and suffered their only loss away to Constantine in a semifinal second leg having built a four-goal advantage at home.

Oussama Lamlioui is their leading scorer in the African campaign with five goals and two west Africans – Paul Bassene from Senegal and Issoufou Dayo from Burkina Faso – have four each.

South Africa-born Simba coach Fadlu Davids attributes the incredible home record of Berkane partly to their ground, the 15 000-seat Municipal Stadium.

"It is a small stadium, but a very intimidating one. The supporters are very close to the pitch," he told reporters.

"I accept that we will have to do a lot of defending and have prepared thoroughly for such a situation."

Simba left Tanzania on Monday in a charter jet organised by the state president, Samia Suluhu Hassan.

"Heartiest congratulations to Simba," she said, referring to the Dar es Salaam club reaching the Confederation Cup final for the first time.

"You have brought great honour to our country and I wish you all the best. You have my full support."

While the majority of the Berkane starters are likely to be Moroccans, Simba will field a multi-national line-up.

Goalkeeper Moussa Camara is Guinean, centre-back Chamou Karaboue and star forward Jean Charles Ahoua come from the Ivory Coast and winger Elie Mpanzu is Congolese.

Among the Tanzanians, winger Denis Kibu is the leading Simba scorer in Africa this season with four goals and his pace and ball control could trouble Berkane.

The return match is set for the Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar on May 25 and the aggregate winners will be two million dollars richer.

After bowing out of the Caf Confederation Cup, Stellenbosch will now shift their focus to the Betway Premiership with a clash against Chippa United at the Danie Craven Stadium on Wednesday night.

Kick-off is at 7:30pm (CAT, GMT+2)

CURRENT FORM

As one of the busiest sides in South African football, Stellenbosch were eliminated from the Caf Confederation Cup this past weekend following a 1-0 aggregate defeat against Simba across two legs.

Stellies last featured in the league on 15 April, where they bagged a 1-0 win against AmaZulu on home soil.

Stellenbosch are currently in fourth position on the league table, while their upcoming opponents occupy eighth after 23 matches played.

The Chilli Boys head into their next game on the back of a 0-0 draw with Kaizer Chiefs, in a game that took place at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on the 19th of April.

WHAT WAS SAID

Stellenbosch coach Steve Barker believes that his side can cap off a good season by qualifying for the Caf Confederations Cup yet again.

“We have a big game on Wednesday in the league and so it's important for us to refocus. We've got less than a month to turn the season into a special season,” Barker said.

“So if we can manage to again qualify for Confed, having made the MTN final, having made the (Caf) semifinal, I think we can then look back at the season as being a really really good season. But as I say, it's still a lot of work to be done.”

Reflecting on Chippa’s stalemate with Amakhosi, Chilli Boys mentor Thabo September lauded his team’s resilience in sticking to their original game plan.

“There were moments when we were caught with some balls going over the full-back on the left from diagonal balls, but managing the game for them not to come through the middle was part of our game plan, and we did that very well,” September said.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Stellenbosch FC: Sanele Barns – With Stellenbosch aiming for a lofty position in the Betway Premiership this season, Barns’ experience and cool head in the middle of the park will no doubt come in handy during crucial fixtures at the back end of the campaign.

Chippa United: Justice Chabalala – In facing a sophisticated Stellies attack, Chabalala’s defensive know-how will be tested yet again this week. Should Chippa opt for a more rigid approach against Stellenbosch, like they did against Chiefs, the Gqeberha outfit could frustrate Barker and company on Wednesday evening.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Last five league results

2022/23 Stellenbosch FC 1-1 Chippa United

2022/23 Chippa United 1-2 Stellenbosch FC

2023/24 Chippa United 0-0 Stellenbosch FC

2023/24 Stellenbosch FC 1-1 Chippa United

2024/25 Chippa United 0-2 Stellenbosch FC

Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan hailed Simba on Sunday after they became the second club from the country in three seasons to reach the CAF Confederation Cup final.

Simba drew 0-0 with Stellenbosch in South African port city Durban and qualified 1-0 on aggregate.

𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐒 𝐒𝐈𝐌𝐁𝐀. #TotalEnergiesCAFCC #HatuishiiHapa #TunaitakaFainali #WenyeNchi #NguvuMoja pic.twitter.com/3zx1sxFpGn

— Simba SC Tanzania English (@SimbaSC_EN) April 27, 2025

They will tackle Moroccan giants Renaissance Berkane in a two-legged final in May.

Berkane surrendered an 11-match unbeaten record since the start of their African campaign by losing 1-0 at CS Constantine of Algeria, but progressed 4-1 on aggregate.

Two-time Confederation Cup winners Berkane will host the first leg on 17 May with the return match eight days later in Dar es Salaam.

They loved the final so much, they’re back for a second consecutive one! 🧡#TotalEnergiesCAFCC pic.twitter.com/rkBSbP1vP6

— TotalEnergies CAFCL & CAFCC 🏆 (@CAFCLCC) April 27, 2025

"Heartiest congratulations to Simba for winning the CAF Confederation Cup semifinal, and making history by reaching the final of this competition," said President Hassan.

"You have brought great honour to our country. I wish you all the best. You have my support at all times," she added in a message to a team coached by South African Fadlu Davids.

Simba have reached one previous African final, losing to Stella Abidjan of the Ivory Coast in the 1993 final of the now defunct CAF Cup.

They are following in the footsteps of arch domestic rivals Young Africans, who lost the 2023 Confederation Cup final to USM Alger of Algeria on away goals.

This will be the fifth final appearance by Berkane in the African equivalent of the Uefa Europa League.

The Orange Boys beat Pyramids of Egypt and Orlando Pirates of South Africa in the 2020 and 2022 title deciders, and lost to Egyptian side Zamalek in 2019 and 2024.

Stellenbosch coach Steve Barker said: "I trust that we have made South Africa proud with our efforts to reach this far in our first season in the Confederation Cup.

"So, our journey ends, but I believe it is a start of many others. I cannot fault the commitment of my players. The semifinal could have gone either way."

Stellenbosch draw at home against Simba S.C. and are knocked out of the #TotalEnergiesCAFCC 👇

Simba won the first leg 1-0 and go through on aggregate ✅ pic.twitter.com/xDkmTLI1Sx

— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) April 27, 2025

Stellenbosch had the ball in the net midway through the second half of a cagey clash, but the effort from Genino Palace was disallowed for offside after a VAR review.

The South Africans had to play 1 235 kilometres from their base because Cape Town Stadium was unavailable due to a clash with a United Rugby Championship fixture.

In Constantine, a powerful Abdennour Belhocini header two minutes after halftime gave the home team victory on the night, but they never looked like overcoming the four-goal first-leg deficit.

The #TotalEnergiesCAFCC semi-finals are all done! 🙌

Check out how the matches went! 👇 pic.twitter.com/xWlGq2OtEW

— TotalEnergies CAFCL & CAFCC 🏆 (@CAFCLCC) April 27, 2025

Stellenbosch goalkeeper Sage Stephens will miss out again on Sunday as a calf injury continues to sideline him ahead of the African Confederation Cup semifinal against Simba in Durban.

Stephens suffered a calf strain in the warm-up before the second leg of Stellenbosch’s 1-0 quarterfinal win over Zamalek and was replaced at the last minute by second-choice Oscarine Masuluke.

🦁 pic.twitter.com/fByaIfBkzX

— Stellenbosch FC (@StellenboschFC) April 22, 2025

The 34-year-old Stephens, who won his first Bafana Bafana cap last November, also missed the home league win over AmaZulu on 15 April but was expected to play in the first leg of the semifinal against Simba last Sunday. He, however, did not recover in time for the 1-0 defeat in Tanzania and will sit out again for Sunday’s second leg at the Moses Mabhida stadium.

Stellenbosch will be looking to reach the final at the first time of asking, having made their debut in African club competition this season.

Sunday’s match at 3pm is live on SuperSport.

Stellenbosch will have first choice goalkeeper Sage Stephens back for Sunday’s African Confederation cup semi-final in Tanzania but striker Ashley Cupido did not make the trip.

A calf injury kept Stephens out of the Tuesday’s Betway Premiership victory over AmaZulu while Cupido went off early in the game at the Danie Craven Stadium after a hamstring tear.

A massive semi-final awaits us in Zanzibar 🌴 pic.twitter.com/VKrervCHGh

— Stellenbosch FC (@StellenboschFC) April 16, 2025

A proper diagnosis is still to be done because of the swelling.

“He said he felt a pop so when that happens it's probably a minimum six weeks out,” said coach Steve Barker.

Stephens was kept on the sidelines on Tuesday as a precaution, the coach added,

“The reason he didn't play was to just to let him fully recover but he seems to be good and has recovered from it. Obviously, he’s been really big for us this whole season and it’s important for him to be available.”

Touchdown in Zanzibar 🌴👋 pic.twitter.com/zQgLPcDCXM

— Stellenbosch FC (@StellenboschFC) April 18, 2025

Stephens made several key saves in the 1-0 aggregate triumph over holders Zamalek of Egypt in the quarter-final of the continental competition.

Stellenbosch face Simba in Zanzibar on Sunday (kick off 3pm, live on SuperSport) in the first leg of their semi-final clash with the return set for Durban on Sunday April 27.

A calf injury kept Stephens out of the Tuesday’s Betway Premiership victory over AmaZulu while Cupido went off early in the game at the Danie Craven Stadium after a hamstring tear.

A proper diagnosis is still to be done because of the swelling.

“He said he felt a pop so when that happens it's probably a minimum six weeks out,” said coach Steve Barker.

Stephens was kept on the sidelines on Tuesday as a precaution, the coach added,

“The reason he didn't play was to just to let him fully recover but he seems to be good and has recovered from it. Obviously, he’s been really big for us this whole season and it’s important for him to be available.”

Stephens made several key saves in the 1-0 aggregate triumph over holders Zamalek of Egypt in the quarter-final of the continental competition.

Stellenbosch face Simba in Zanzibar on Sunday (kick off 3pm, live on SuperSport) in the first leg of their semi-final clash with the return set for Durban on Sunday April 27.

Sihle Nduli scored his first CAF Confederation Cup goal to give Stellenbosch of South Africa a stunning 1-0 win at title-holders Zamalek of Egypt on Wednesday, and a spot in the semifinals.

The 29-year-midfielder struck after 79 minutes in Cairo, pouncing on a cutback to fire a close-range shot over goalkeeper Mohamed Awad.

It was the only goal of the quarterfinal, after a 0-0 first leg stalemate in Cape Town last week, and the 1-0 overall victory earned Stellenbosch a last-four showdown with Simba of Tanzania this month.

What a time to get your first continental goal 🥹🍇

Sihle Nduli knocks the defending #TotalEnergiesCAFCC champions out of the tournament 🎯#SSFootball pic.twitter.com/854yfs1PTf

— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) April 9, 2025

Two-time Confederation Cup winners Renaissance Berkane of Morocco will face surprise packages CS Constantine of Algeria in the other semifinal.

Oussama Lamlioui scored off a Paul Bassene back-heel for Berkane as they beat ASEC Mimosas of the Ivory Coast 1-0 at home to qualify 2-0 on aggregate.

Constantine upset former title-holders USM Alger by winning a penalty shootout 4-3 after a second 1-1 draw between the Algerian clubs left them level at 2-2 on aggregate.

USM captain Adam Alilet converted a first-half penalty in the second leg in Algiers and Abdennour Belhocini equalised via a 56th-minute header.

Stellenbosch, who hail from a rugby union stronghold in the western Cape, are competing in Africa for the first time this season having finished third in the South African Premiership.

They had to overcome two vastly experienced African campaigners, V Club of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Stade Malien of Mali, to reach the knockout stage.

But Zamalek, whose 13 CAF titles is bettered only by the 25 of Cairo neighbours Al Ahly, were widely expected to end the Stellenbosch run.

SQUANDERING

At home, the Egyptian White Knights struggled to break through the South African defence with Moroccan international Seifeddine Jaziri squandering their best two chances.

Rattled after Nduli struck, Zamalek never looked like scoring the two goals they needed under the away goal rule to survive.

Portuguese Jose Peseiro, the former Nigeria coach and third to guide Zamalek this season, omitted star Ahmed 'Zizo' Sayed amid reports that the winger is set to join arch rivals Ahly.

"I have not signed for any club, inside or outside Egypt. If someone has my signature, let them show it publicly," the forward wrote on his Facebook account.

Goalkeeper Moussa Camara and defender Shomari Kapombe played key roles as Simba beat Al Masry of Egypt 4-1 on penalties after winning the return match 2-0 in Dar es Salaam to tie the overall score at 2-2.

Guinean Camara, who took the blame for the first Masry goal in the first leg, saved two of three spot kicks he faced before a near-capacity crowd in the 60 000-seat national stadium.

After Simba converted their first three penalties, Kapombe beat Masry captain Mahmoud Gad to take Simba to the Confederation Cup semifinals for the first time in seven attempts.

Goals from DR Congo-born Elie Mpanzu and Ugandan Steven Mukwala in the first half had wiped out the advantage Masry took to the east African port city.

South Africa’s Stellenbosch FC will chase an upset result in Cairo against Egyptian heavyweights Zamalek when the CAF Confederation Cup quarterfinals conclude with four matches across the African continent on Wednesday.

Stellies held the White Knights – the reigning Confed Cup champions – 0-0 in the first leg clash in Cape Town last midweek. The result means the up-and-coming club from the Cape Winelands is just a scoring draw away from a first-ever continental semifinal, as the clubs renew battle at the Cairo International Stadium on Wednesday evening.

“The main objective was always to go to Cairo having a chance,” coach Steve Barker said after the first-leg stalemate. “We didn’t want to go sort of dead and buried. I think, not conceding the away goal, I believe the pressure shifts to Zamalek.

“I think with good preparation, now we know what we know, good analysis, and come up with a really good game plan to get it. Because as it is, whether they score one or not, even if they score one, we still only have to score one.”

Wednesday’s Confed Cup action gets underway in mid-afternoon in Dar Es Salaam in Tanzania, as hosts Simba SC look to overturn a 2-0 deficit against Egypt’s Al Masry at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.

The two night games come from Berkane in Morocco and the Algerian capital city of Algiers. In the former, RS Berkane host Ivory Coast’s ASEC Abidjan at the Municipal Stadium and hold a 1-0 lead – as the Orange Boys chase a third Confed Cup title.

In the latter, an all-Algerian clash between USM Alger and CS Constantine is delicately poised at 1-1. The first-leg match in Constantine was a tempestuous affair, and this return game at the 5 July 1962 Stadium is set to be another tense showdown between the two Ligue 1 rivals.

The four aggregate winners will advance to the semifinals, which will be played on 20 and 27 April. ASEC-Berkane and Constantine-Alger are on one side of the draw, while the other is made up of Masry-Simba and Stellenbosch-Zamalek.

CAF Confederation Cup midweek fixtures

Times CAT

Quarterfinal, second leg – Aggregate scores in parenthesis

Wednesday 9 April

15:00: Simba SC v Al Masry (0-2)

18:00: Zamalek v Stellenbosch FC (0-0)

21:00: RS Berkane v ASEC Mimosas (1-0)

21:00: USM Alger v CS Constantine (1-1)