Groups A and C of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup have already completed the qualification business after the penultimate round of matches on Sunday.
Al Ahli Tripoli and Pyramids FC are through to the quarter finals from Group A while only Orlando Pirates are confirmed from Group B. In Group C, Al Masry and TP Mazembe have both qualified while Group D is the most interesting with all four teams having a chance heading into the final round of matches.
Group A
Libya’s Al Ahly Tripoli moved top of the group after beating Pyramids FC 1-0 in Benghazi. Omar Gaber’s own goal in the 54th minute handed the Libyans maximum points at home, laying revenge for the 2-1 loss they suffered in Cairo in the first leg.
With the win, Tripoli are top with 12 points while Pyramids drop to second with 10 points. They both qualify for the quarter finals after Tunisian side CS Sfaxien lost 1-0 away to Zanaco.
Boyd Musonda scored the lone goal for Zanaco to ensure they pick at least one win from the group phase after four consecutive losses. Pyramids are on four points while Zanaco are bottom with three.
Group B
Orlando Pirates stormed top of the group after a hard earned 2-0 win away to Algeria’s JS Saoura. Second half goals from Ntsikelelo Nyauza and Kabelo Dlamini handed the Bucaneers maximum points.
They had to finish the last 14 minutes of the game with 10 men after Goodman Mosele was sent off for a second yellow, but they held on to move to 12 points top of the pile and have assured themselves of a place in the last eight.
Saoura meanwhile drop to third with seven points. They will now need to win their last game against Royal Leopards and hope Al Ittihad lose away to Orlando Pirates. Al Ittihad moved to second in the group with 10 points after beating Royal Leopards 3-2 in Tripoli.
Group C
Al Masry and TP Mazembe have progressed from this group after favourable results on Sunday.
Egyptian side Masry sit top with one match to go after edging out Cotonsport 2-0 in Port Said. Mohamed Grendo and 1-1 Ahmed Alaa Eldin scored in either half to hand Masry their third win in the group as they moved to 10 points.
TP Mazembe meanwhile remained second with eight points after a 2-2 draw against AS Otoho d’Oyo. The result sees Otoho remain third with five points and cannot pass Mazembe at second even if they win their last match and Mazembe lose due to the Congolese side’s better head to head record.
Otoho needed to win on Sunday to give themselves a chance, but twice came from behind to only force a draw.
Cotonsport are out of the picture as they are on three points.
Group D
With results from Sunday’s penultimate round of matches, Group D will go down to the wire.
Asec Mimosas stormed top of the group with nine points after thrashing Tanzania’s Simba 3-0 at home. Teen striker Karim Konate missed a penalty but made amends with the third goal. Anicet Alan Oura also missed a late penalty for Asec.
Their opening two goals were scored by Aubin Kramo and Stephane Aziz Ki. The result sees Asec sit top with nine points while Simba are third with seven points, same as second placed RS Berkane.
Berkane pulled a late 2-2 draw with Nigerien side US Gendarmerie to retain their hopes. Mouad Fekkak scored in the third minute of stoppage time to secure a point, with USGN having looked to be well on course for a win.
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The Niger side sits bottom with five points, but still have a chance of finishing at least second if they can win away to Simba in Dar es Salaam on the final match day. In the other game, Berkane will be at home against Asec.
