Race for knockout stage heats up in Confederation Cup

The CAF Confederation Cup heats up this weekend as teams jostle to secure their spots in the knockout stage, with only two group stage games to go.

Group leaders will be looking to tighten their grips on the standings while those languishing near the bottom have two last chances to change their fortunes in the continental competition this season.

The first fixture of the weekend will take place on Saturday as Azam hosts Maniema Union at the Azam Complex Stadium in Dar es Salaam. Kick-off is at 6pm CAT.

In their clash in November, Maniema Union came out on top, winning 2-0 at home.

On a two match winning streak in the competition, Azam will be looking to pull level with Maniema on the standings heading into the final matchday. The Tanzanian club is hird in Group B with six points while Maniema sits in second with nine points.

A win for Maniema Union would take it out of reach of Azam and confirm its place in the knockout stage.

In the first round of Sunday’s action, three fixtures will kick-off at 3pm CAT. AS Otohô will be looking for revenge against Stellenbosch at the Stade Alphonse Massamba-Débat in Brazzaville, and Kaizer Chiefs are hunting an all important win over Al Masry at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.

Lastly, Zamalek will look to confirm its place in the knockout stage against Zesco United at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.

Stellenbosch got the better of the Congolese side in their first meeting, winning 1-0. Otohô sits in second place in Group C, two points above Stellenbosch. The Maroons have lost their last two in a row and could overtake Otohô with a win.

In Group D, Chiefs and Al Masry are level on points with seven, as well as on goal difference. A win for either side would be vital while a loss could be detrimental.

Zamalek would be guaranteed to finish at least second in the group with a win on Sunday against Zesco, who with zero points, are already eliminated from contention.

The second round of Sunday’s fixtures will begin at 6pm CAT. Wydad AC will look to confirm its place in the knockout stage against Nairobi United at the Moi International Sports Centre in Nairobi, as will CR Belouizdad at the Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar against Singida Black Stars. San-Pédro will look to keep its hopes alive against USM Alger at the Stade Laurent Pokou in San Pédro.

Wydad and CR Belouizdad both sit on nine points, in control of Group B and C respectively. Wins would confirm their places in the next stage of the competition.

With zero points from four matches, Nairobi United’s race has been run. However, Singida Black Stars is level with Stellenbosch on four points in Group C, two points behind second-placed Otohô. They will be looking to go ahead of or remain level with Stellenbosch heading into the final matchday.

With three points San-Pédro sits third in Group A, six points behind OC Safi. The Ivorian team will need two victories from its last two games in order to stand a chance of advancing, provided the Moroccan club loses its last two games and falls behind on goal difference.

USM Alger, with 10 points, cannot be caught by third or fourth place in Group A and has already punched its ticket to the knockout stage.

The weekend’s action will finish with the 9pm CAT clash between OC Safi and Djoliba AC at the Stade El Massira in Safi.

Djoliba has only managed one point so far, meaning its chances of advancing are none. A victory or draw for OC Safi would take it out of reach of San-Pédro and into the next round.

CAF Confederation Cup fixtures

Saturday

Azam v Maniema Union

Sunday

AS Otohô v Stellenbosch

Kaizer Chiefs v Al Masry

Zesco United v Zamalek

Nairobi United v Wydad

San-Pédro v USM Alger

Singida Black Stars v CR Belouizdad

OC Safi v Djoliba AC