CAF Champions League Final: AS Vita Club Gears Up for Crucial Clash Against ES Sétif
By BBC Sport Africa | Kinshasa
All eyes in Kinshasa will be on the Tata Raphaël Stadium this Sunday as AS Vita Club host Algeria’s Entente Sportive Sétif in the first leg of the CAF Champions League final — a momentous occasion for Congolese football.
The match represents a major opportunity for Vita Club to take a significant step toward continental glory, but head coach Florent Ibengé is urging calm and focus ahead of the high-stakes encounter.
“This is a tough and difficult match. We’re working hard to win it,” said Ibengé during a pre-match press conference. “Some people are already thinking about the Club World Cup and the prospect of facing Real Madrid, but we mustn’t put the cart before the horse. First, there’s this final to play — and it won’t be easy.”
Vita Club have impressed throughout the tournament with their strong attacking play and disciplined defence, but they face a formidable opponent in ES Sétif. The Algerian side has built a reputation as excellent travellers, having consistently produced solid performances away from home during their campaign.
The Congolese side, cheered on by a passionate home crowd, will be banking on their fortress in Kinshasa to secure an advantage ahead of the second leg. Ibengé, who recently led DR Congo to a famous victory over Ivory Coast in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, carries high expectations into this continental final.
Fans and pundits alike have drawn parallels between his international success and the growing ambition surrounding Vita Club. A positive result at home could set the tone not only for the return fixture but also for what could be a historic run to the FIFA Club World Cup.
But Ibengé remains grounded. “We know ES Sétif won’t be easy to handle. They have quality, experience, and mental strength. We need full concentration and total commitment.”
This final marks Vita Club’s return to the top of African football after decades of near-misses. Their last Champions League triumph came in 1973, and lifting the trophy again would be a monumental achievement for the club, the city, and the country.
Kick-off in Kinshasa promises drama, intensity, and the start of a two-legged battle that will decide who reigns supreme in African club football.
