The race for the CAF Confederation Cup quarter-finals will be settled this weekend as the group stage reaches its decisive sixth matchday, with three qualification places still up for grabs.
After five rounds of fixtures, five teams have already secured their progression, leaving several clubs facing defining encounters that will determine whether their continental campaigns continue.
Each group presents a different picture, ranging from settled standings to tightly balanced scenarios where results elsewhere could prove decisive.
Group A has already delivered its verdict. USM Alger lead the section on 13 points, closely followed by OC Safi on 12, and both sides are through to the quarter-finals.
Their meeting on the final matchday will only decide who tops the group. San Pedro, with three points, and Djoliba AC, on one, can no longer catch the leaders and are mathematically eliminated.
Group B remains unresolved behind Wydad AC, who are guaranteed a top-two finish with 12 points.
The battle for the remaining qualifying spot is between Maniema Union and Azam FC, who are level on nine points. Maniema host Nairobi United, who have yet to collect a point and are already out.
A win would confirm qualification for the Congolese side. Azam travel to face Wydad and must at least match Maniema’s result to keep their hopes alive. If the teams finish level on points, progression will be determined by established tiebreak criteria.
In Group C, CR Belouizdad and Otôho d’Oyo have already booked their quarter-final places with 12 and nine points respectively.
Their final encounter will settle the group order rather than qualification. Singida Black Stars and Stellenbosch FC, both on four points, are eliminated.
Group D offers the most tension heading into the final round. Kaizer Chiefs sit top with 10 points, ahead of Zamalek on eight and Al Masry on seven, while ZESCO United are out of contention.
Chiefs travel to face Zamalek in a pivotal fixture, while Al Masry host eliminated ZESCO. A win or draw would secure passage for the South African side.
Zamalek require victory to qualify without relying on other outcomes, while Al Masry must win and hope for a favourable result in the other match to advance.
With qualification permutations still in play, the final matchday promises decisive moments as teams chase a place in the knockout stage.
