CAF Confederation Cup Recap: Wydad win in Ghana; Étoile shocked in Kenya

The CAF Confederation Cup featured many tight first leg battles as the second qualifying stage began over the weekend with places in the group stage at stake. North African giants Étoile du Sahel of Tunisia and Algeria’s USM Alger suffered setbacks while Zamalek of Egypt and Morocco’s Wydad AC did well in their first leg clashes.

It was a disappointing Sunday for Ghanaian giants Asante Kotoko, who put up a tough fight but went down 0-1 to Wydad in Accra. Joseph Bakasu struck early in the second half before Kotoko goalkeeper Mohamed Camara was red carded soon after and left the pitch in a dishonorable manner as the hosts failed to seize their opportunity at home.

Tunisia’s Étoile du Sahel was on the wrong end of the surprise result of the weekend, falling 0-2 to Nairobi United of Kenya. The Kenyan club, who gained promotion to the top flight in the East African nation for this season, continued their rapid ascension after shocking Gor Mahia to win the FKF Cup last season.

Tanzanian clubs Azam FC and Singida Black Stars earned favorable first leg results. Azam took down Zanzibari side KMKM on Saturday by a 2-0 score while on Sunday, Black Stars set themselves up to finish the job at home next week after drawing Burundi’s Flambeau du Centre 1-1.

Zamalek were the biggest winners after the first leg clashes. The Egyptian giants marched to a 6-0 first leg victory over Somalia’s Dekedda, who are all but eliminated before the teams meet again in Cairo in a week’s time. After a miserable 2024-25 season that saw them knocked out by South Africa’s Stellenbosch in the quarterfinals, Zamalek will be eager to announce themselves as CAF Confederation Cup favorites after heavy spending ahead of the ongoing 2025-26 campaign.

Another notable result saw Ivorian club AFAD Plateau surprise USM Alger with a 1-0 victory in Abidjan. After a shocking comeback to eliminate Senegalese club Generation Foot in the first round, the Ivorian club will now look to complete a shock on another level when they go to Algiers next week with a one-goal advantage. USM Alger, known for their strong performances in the CAF Confederation Cup, will have other ideas.

There were several draws with Kaizer Chiefs being held by AS Simba of the Democratic Republic of Congo while Egypt’s Al Masry did well to hold Libyan side Al Ittihad in front of a raucous home crowd. Finally, Zambian clubs continued to impress with ZESCO United edging Jwaneng Galaxy of Botswana in a 4-3 thriller. However, Galaxy will look to overturn the deficit next week back home.

The CAF Confederation Cup resumes next weekend with the second legs from the second round. After several surprise results from the first leg, there could be some surprise names in the draw for the group stage when the second round is completed.

CAF Confederation Cup: Second Round, First Leg Results

Hafia FC (GUI) 1-1 CR Belouizdad (ALG)

AFAD Plateau (CIV) 1-0 USM Alger (ALG)

USFA (BFA) 0-0 Djoliba (MLI)

Asante Kotoko (GHA) 0-1 Wydad AC (MAR)

Ferroviario Maputo (MOZ) 0-1 AS Otoho d’Oyo (COG)

Flambeau du Centre (BDI) 1-1 Singida Black Stars (TZA)

Nairobi United (KEN) 2-0 Étoile du Sahel (TUN)

Olympique Safi (MAR) 2-0 Stade Tunisien (TUN)

Dekedda (SOM) 0-6 Zamalek (EGY)

FC San Pedro (CIV) 1-1 Coton FC (BEN)

15 de Agosto (EQG) 0-0 Stellenbosch FC (RSA)

AS Maniema Union (DRC) 1-1 Royal Leopards (ESW)

KMKM (ZAN) 0-2 Azam FC (TZA)

ZESCO United (ZAM) 4-3 Jwaneng Galaxy (BWA)

AS Simba (DRC) 0-0 Kaizer Chiefs (RSA)

Al Ittihad Tripoli (LBY) 0-0 Al Masry (EGY)