The concluding matches of the group stage of the Confederation Cup will take place tomorrow, Sunday, with six teams already qualifying for the quarter-finals ahead of the final round of matches, leaving only two spots up for grabs.
Six matches are scheduled for tomorrow, with Algeria’s USM Alger, the reigning champions, taking on South Africa’s Supersport United.
Meanwhile, DR Congo’s AS Vita Club will face South Africa’s Sekhukhune United. Egypt’s Zamalek will host Guinea’s Académie Souar, and Modern Coast Rangers of Egypt will face Libya’s Al-Hilal.
Additionally, Nigeria’s Rivers United will play against Ghana’s Dreams FC, and Tunisian giants Espérance Sportive de Tunis will face a tough challenge against Angola’s Académica Do Lobito.
Angola’s Sagrada Esperança will host Libya’s Al-Sulaibi and Morocco’s Renaissance Berkane will face Mali’s Stade Malien.
Six teams have already secured their spots in the quarter-finals: USM Alger from Group A, Zamalek and Al-Sulaibi from Group B, Dreams FC from Group C, Renaissance Berkane and Stade Malien from Group D.
For USM Alger, the task against Supersport United seems straightforward as they have already secured their spot in the next round.
However, they will be aiming to maintain their top position in the group with 10 points. Supersport United, with only 4 points, is already out of contention.
Despite their qualification, uncertainty surrounds the fate of Spanish coach Juan Carlos Garrido, especially with reports suggesting that the club’s management will decide his future after the Supersport United match due to the team’s recent decline in domestic form.
In the same group, the match between Modern Coast Rangers and Al-Hilal will be challenging for both sides as they vie to accompany USM Alger to the next stage.
Modern Coast Rangers currently sit second with 8 points, while Al-Hilal has 6 points.
Modern Coast Rangers will be banking on home advantage, although they lost key players in the winter transfer window.
The surprise victory by Al-Hilal over USM Alger (2-1) in the last match has significantly boosted their morale, revitalizing their hopes of advancing to the next stage.
In Group B, Zamalek and Al-Sulaibi have already secured qualification, and the order of positions will not change regardless of the final round of matches.
Zamalek leads Group B with 13 points, followed by Al-Sulaibi with 9 points.
Sagrada Esperança has 5 points, while Académie Souar sits at the bottom with only 1 point.
The match between Académie Souar and Zamalek will be a crucial test for Zamalek ahead of their upcoming final against rivals Al-Ahli in the Egypt Cup, scheduled to be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
In Group C, Al-Ahli Tunis faces a fierce and decisive battle to secure a spot in the quarter-finals alongside Dreams FC.
Dreams FC currently tops the group with 12 points, followed by Al-Ahli Tunis and Rivers United, both with 9 points each. Académica Do Lobito trails behind with no points.
Al-Ahli Tunis will host Académica Do Lobito in a match that will determine their fate. With their star players Ahmed Khalil and Ghayth El-Sighaer returning from injury, Al-Ahli Tunis will be seeking a victory to secure direct qualification without relying on the result of their competitors.
They hold the advantage in head-to-head encounters, having lost narrowly in Nigeria and won convincingly in Tunisia.
The clash between Renaissance Berkane and Stade Malien will be the highlight of Group D, as it will determine the top two positions.
Renaissance Berkane leads Group D with 11 points, followed by Stade Malien with 10 points. Sekhukhune United stands at third with 5 points, while Diambars sits at the bottom with no points.
