Andrew Olsson
January 19, 2025CAFCC Preview: ASEC, Enyimba and Black Bulls aim to sneak into final quarterfinal places
ASEC Mimosas and Orapa United in action on December 8 in Botswana. Photo Credit: ASEC Mimosas
CAFCC Preview: ASEC, Enyimba and Black Bulls aim to sneak into final quarterfinal places
The CAF Confederation Cup will conclude its group stage on Sunday with a similar situation to the CAF Champions League. Two groups still have the element of suspense with one more group still having a group winner to determine for the quarterfinal stage.
For the two groups where a team can sneak into the quarterfinals, Group C has Ivorian giants ASEC Mimosas hoping to defeat Botswana’s Orapa United in Abidjan and overtake Senegalese club ASC Jaraaf who will be in Algiers against USM Alger. Nigerian club Enyimba and Mozambique’s Black Bulls also have plenty to play for in Group D. Read more on the situation in each group below:
Group A
| GP | Points | |
| CS Constantine | 5 | 12 |
| Simba SC | 5 | 10 |
| Bravos do Maquis | 5 | 7 |
| CS Sfaxien | 5 | 0 |
Fixtures: 13:00 GMT
CS Sfaxien (TUN) vs Bravos do Maquis (ANG)- Sfaxien, Tunisia
Simba SC (TZA) vs CS Constantine (ALG)- Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
It will not be the loud and vocal atmosphere we are accustomed to in Dar es Salaam as Simba will be forced to host CS Constantine behind closed doors due to CAF sanctions. There is plenty to play for with the Reds needing a victory to overtake Algeria’s CSC for top spot in the group which could produce a more favorable match in the quarterfinals.
For Bravos do Maquis, who had impressive moments at home in the campaign, their match at CS Sfaxien is merely for pride as they cannot catch Simba.
Group B
| GP | Points | |
| RS Berkane | 5 | 13 |
| Stellenbosch | 5 | 9 |
| Stade Malien | 5 | 4 |
| CD Lunda Sul | 5 | 2 |
Fixtures: 19:00 GMT
RS Berkane (MAR) vs Stellenbosch (RSA)- Berkane, Morocco
Stade Malien (MLI) vs CD Lunda Sul (ANG)- Bamako, Mali
Both of these matches are essentially “dead rubbers”. RS Berkane won the group with matches to spare and will look to confirm their dominance of the group against closest challengers Stellenbosch. Stade Malien will expect to secure a third place finish at home against Lunda Sul who have a capable defense but a poor attack.
Group C
| GP | Points | |
| USM Alger | 5 | 11 |
| ASC Jaraaf | 5 | 8 |
| ASEC Mimosas | 5 | 5 |
| Orapa United | 5 | 2 |
Fixtures: 19:00 GMT
USM Alger (ALG) vs ASC Jaraaf (SEN)- Algiers, Algeria
ASEC Mimosas (CIV) vs Orapa United (BWA)- Abidjan, Ivory Coast
Despite losing to Jaraaf in Dakar last week, ASEC Mimosas still appear to hold the edge in the race for second place in Group C. Les Mimos host Botswana’s Orapa United in a must win match and need USM Alger to defeat Jaraaf at home. Everything is set for ASEC to advance on the final day but the Ivorian club do not control their destiny entirely.
Group D
| GP | Points | |
| Zamalek | 5 | 11 |
| Al Masry | 5 | 6 |
| Enyimba | 5 | 5 |
| Black Bulls | 5 | 4 |
Fixtures: 16:00 GMT
Zamalek (EGY) vs Enyimba (NGA)- Cairo, Egypt
Al Masry (EGY) vs Black Bulls (MOZ)- Alexandria, Egypt
Everything is set for Al Masry to join fellow Egyptian club Zamalek in the quarterfinals. However, Black Bulls have shown they are a capable team and the Mozambican champions are confident they can control the ball against Al Masry. Nigerian giants Enyimba have more to play for against Zamalek but the Group D winners are unlikely to provide any charity for The Peoples’ Elephant who must win to have any chance of reaching the knockout stages.