Caf Confederation Cup preview round-up

Sixteen teams will be contesting for the last eight places of the Caf Confederation Cup mini league phase

The Caf Confederation Cup playoff first leg gets underway this week with 16 teams vying for the mini phase of the competition to be made up of two groups of four teams each.

Saturday April 19, 2014

Nkana (Zambia) – CA Bizertin (Tunisia)

The Tunisian team will travel to Zambia to face Nkana, who crashed out of the Caf Champions League in the 1/8th round. The Zambians will be hoping to claim a comfortable lead ahead of the second leg in Bizerte, where the Northern Sharks knocked out Nigerian representatives Warri Wolves 2-1 in the 1st 1/8th round.

Sunday April 20, 2014

Al Ahly (Egypt) – Difaa El Jadida (Morocco)

After their shock exit from the Caf Champions League, title holders Al Ahly are hoping to qualify for the group stage of the Confederation Cup to expect silverware this season. However, the Red Devils will be hosting Morocco’s Difaa El Jadida behind closed doors following a decision from local authorities, and will also be doing without suspended Ahmed Fathi, injured Walid Soliman, but Mohamed Nagy “Gedo” makes a return.

AS Real (Mali) – Djoliba (Mali)

The all-Malian clash will take place on Sunday at the Modibo Keita Stadium in the country’s capital, Bamako. Both teams are also cross-town rivals in the domestic league and most times share the same supporters during continental hostilities.

AC Leopards (Congo) – Medeama (Ghana)

The 2012 Confederation Cup winners AC Leopards of Congo are determined to progress to this year’s mini league phase but will have to surmount the Ghanaian hurdle of Medeama who knocked out Zambian giants Zesco United FC in the 1st 1/8th round.

Kaizer Chiefs (South Africa) – ASEC Mimosas (Cote d’Ivoire)

South African representatives will lock horns with red hot Ivorian outfit Asec Mimosas, who are fresh from a 6-1 triumph over Algerian Club Sportif Constantinois, recording the highest score in the 1st 1/8th round of the Confederation Cup.

Coton Sport (Cameroon) – Petro Atletico (Angola)

Cameroon champions Coton Sport, who reached the semi finals of last year’s Champions League, will cross paths with a robust side, Petro Atletico from Angola. Neither club has won the Confederation Cup but the Angolans total a higher number of five appearances as opposed to none for Coton Sport.

Horoya (Guinea) – Etoile du Sahel (Tunisia)

Guinean champions Horoya say they will endeavour to claim an outcome that will make their trip to Tunisia an easy one, while Etoile du Sahel coach Roger Lemerre says a win in both legs is their chief objective.

Sewe Sport (Cote d’Ivoire) – Bayelsa Utd (Nigeria)

Cote D’Ivoire champions Sewe Sport narrowly fell out of the Caf Champions League race following a 2-2 aggregate loss to DR Congo’s TP Mazembe (on the away goals rule). The team’s chairman Eugene Diomande says his side will take their revenge in the Confederation Cup, starting with Nigerian team Bayelsa United.

 

SOURCE : goal.com