Coton Sport Secure CAF Cup Semi-Final Spot Despite Heavy Defeat
Coton Sport of Cameroon have confirmed their place in the CAF Cup semi-finals following the fifth matchday of the group stage, despite suffering a surprising 4-0 defeat at home to AC Léopards on Saturday.
The match, held in Garoua, saw AC Léopards dominate with a commanding display. Kader Bidimbou scored a hat-trick with goals in the 54th, 75th, and 83rd minutes, while Césaire Gandzé added a strike in the 72nd minute to seal a comprehensive victory for the Congolese side.
Despite the loss, Coton Sport’s position at the top of Group A remained secure thanks to a goalless draw between ASEC Mimosas and AS Real Bamako in Abidjan on Sunday. Coton Sport currently lead the group with 10 points, followed by AC Léopards on 8 points, Real Bamako on 5, and ASEC Mimosas on 3.
Group B remains tightly contested. Egyptian giants Al Ahly maintain their lead but must wait until the final group match to confirm their place in the semi-finals. They slipped up with a 1-0 defeat in Zambia to Nkana, conceding from a penalty converted by Billy Mwanza in the 51st minute.
Nkana’s win keeps them within striking distance of the leaders, sitting just one point behind Al Ahly with 7 points. Meanwhile, Ivorian side Séwé Sport moved closer to qualification with a 1-0 victory over Tunisia’s Etoile du Sahel on Sunday, courtesy of Baudelaire Essis Aka’s goal in the 51st minute.
The current standings in Group B show Al Ahly on 8 points, Nkana with 7, Séwé Sport on 6, and Etoile du Sahel trailing with 5 points, making the final group matches crucial for all involved.
Group A Results
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Coton Sport 0-4 AC Léopards (Bidimbou 54′, 75′, 83′; Gandzé 72′)
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ASEC Mimosas 0-0 AS Real Bamako
Group A Standings
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Coton Sport – 10 points
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AC Léopards – 8 points
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AS Real Bamako – 5 points
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ASEC Mimosas – 3 points
Group B Results
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Nkana 1-0 Al Ahly (Mwanza 51′ pen)
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Séwé Sport 1-0 Etoile du Sahel (Aka 51′)
Group B Standings
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Al Ahly – 8 points
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Nkana – 7 points
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Séwé Sport – 6 points
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Etoile du Sahel – 5 points
With just one round remaining, the battle for semi-final spots in Group B is set to be fiercely contested, while Coton Sport can prepare with confidence after securing their place in the next stage.
