The CAF Confederation Cup group stage resumes on Sunday with Matchday Three, as clubs across four groups look to strengthen their positions at the halfway point of the opening phase of the competition.
With qualification for the knockout rounds beginning to take shape, the latest round of fixtures could prove decisive for several sides already under pressure after two matches.
In Group A, FC San Pedro of Ivory Coast host Morocco’s OC Safi at 5:00 p.m.
With USM Alger already clear at the top on nine points, attention is firmly on the battle behind them.
San Pedro and Safi are level on three points each, making Sunday’s meeting crucial in the race to secure second place.
Djoliba AC, yet to pick up a point, are rooted to the bottom of the standings and face an increasingly difficult task.
Group B offers two fixtures with significant implications.
Nairobi United of Kenya welcome Tanzania’s Azam FC at 2:00 p.m., with both sides still searching for their first points of the campaign. Later in the evening, at 8:00 p.m., Wydad Casablanca take on AS Maniema of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Both clubs sit level at the top with six points, and their meeting is expected to determine early control of the group.
In Group C, the standings remain tightly packed.
Singida Black Stars of Tanzania face Congo’s Otoho d’Oyo at 5:00 p.m., as both teams look to close the gap on leaders Stellenbosch.
The South African side currently top the group with four points and will be in action later, when they travel to face Algeria’s Chabab Riadhi Belouizdad at 8:00 p.m.
With just three points separating first from last, the group remains wide open.
Group D sees AS Zesco United of Zambia host Kaizer Chiefs at 2:00 p.m.
Zesco are still without a point, while the South African club sit on one, making the encounter vital for both sides’ hopes of progression.
The headline fixture of the group follows at 8:00 p.m., when Egyptian rivals Zamalek and Al Masry meet in an all-Egyptian clash.
Al Masry lead the group with six points, while Zamalek are close behind on four, adding further intensity to the contest.
As Matchday Three unfolds, the results will not only shape the group standings but also set the tone for the second half of the group stage, where margins for error will be even smaller.
CAF Confederation Cup, African Football, Group Stage, Wydad Casablanca, Zamalek, Kaizer Chiefs, Al Masry, Stellenbosch
