The CAF Confederation Cup resumes this midweek with first-leg, quarterfinal matches across the continent, headlined by an Algerian derby and Tanzania’s Simba SC chasing an away win in Egypt.
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The four matches will all be played on Wednesday 2 April, starting out in Cape Town, South Africa, where hosts Stellenbosch FC will welcome Egyptian powerhouses Zamalek.
Stellies, who are very much rookies at this level of inter-club football, are hungry to make their mark against the White Knights – a team which boasts no less than 13 continental titles (5 Champions League, 2 Confed Cups, 1 Cup Winners’ Cup and 5 Super Cups).
“We also have a big quarterfinal match against Zamalek to look forward to,” said coach Steve Barker. “There is still a lot of work to be done, and we can't get ahead of ourselves, but we are happy where we are.”
In Constantine, an Algerian derby sees CS Constantine host USM Alger at the Chahid Hamlaoui Stadium, while Ivorian contenders ASEC Mimosas will welcome Morocco’s RS Berkane to the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abidjan.
In the Suez Stadium in Egypt, Al Masry will welcome an ambitious Simba SC. The Tanzanian visitors have shown fine form under coach Fadlu Davids in recent times, and will head to North Africa confident that they can trouble the Green Eagles in their own back yard.
“The focus is already there [on Al Masry], especially the technical team,” said Davids in the aftermath of a domestic cup win that kept up his side’s momentum.
“They are already watching matches of Al Masry and knowing what to expect, what game plan and strategy to use against them.”
CAF Confederation Cup midweek fixtures
Quarterfinals, first leg. Times CAT.
Wednesday 2 April
15:00: Stellenbosch FC v Zamalek
18:00: CS Constantine v USM Alger
18:00: ASEC Mimosas v RS Berkane
18:00: Al Masry v Simba SC