Renaissance Sportive de Berkane delivered a commanding performance this Sunday in the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup quarter-finals, defeating Kenya’s Gor Mahia 3-0 in Nairobi. The Moroccan side, determined to assert themselves early in the knockout stage, showcased efficiency and composure in attack while remaining solid defensively. The goals included an own goal from Francis Kahata, followed by strikes from Bakre El Helali, giving RS Berkane a strong advantage heading into the return leg at home next week.
Zambia’s Nkana FC also claimed a narrow victory over Tunisia’s CS Sfaxien, winning 2-1 in Kitwe. While the home side edged the match, CS Sfaxien secured an important away goal through Habib Oueslati, keeping their hopes alive for a potential comeback in the return leg. Nkana’s goals came from Kelvin Kampamba and Freddy Tshimenga, putting the Zambians in a favorable position, but the away goal means the Tunisian side cannot be discounted when they host the second leg.
Étoile Sportive du Sahel recorded another impressive result, defeating Sudanese club Al Hilal 3-1 in Sousse. Zied Boughattas opened the scoring for the Tunisian side, and Yassine Chikhaoui added two more goals, putting the match largely beyond the visitors’ reach. Athar El Tahir’s strike for Al Hilal offered a glimmer of hope, but it proved insufficient to threaten Étoile du Sahel’s control of the tie. The Tunisian club now heads into the second leg with a strong cushion and confidence.
In contrast, Hassania Union Sport Agadir and Zamalek SC played out a goalless draw in Morocco. The tight encounter demonstrated the defensive discipline of both sides, leaving the quarter-final open and highly competitive ahead of the return match in Cairo next Sunday. With no goals scored in the first leg, the advantage remains evenly balanced, and the second leg promises to be a tense, decisive encounter.
These results set the stage for an exciting return leg in the CAF Confederation Cup quarter-finals next Sunday. RS Berkane and Étoile du Sahel will seek to consolidate their commanding leads, while Nkana and CS Sfaxien will battle to overturn the deficit. Meanwhile, Hassania Agadir and Zamalek will aim to break the deadlock, knowing that a single goal could dramatically influence the outcome of their tie.
The first legs highlighted both the attacking strengths and defensive organization of the clubs involved. RS Berkane and Étoile du Sahel stand out for their clinical finishing, while Nkana and CS Sfaxien demonstrated the importance of away goals in knockout football. The tightly contested match between Hassania Agadir and Zamalek emphasizes the fine margins that often decide African club competitions.
The return legs promise drama, skillful play, and decisive moments as each club looks to secure a place in the semi-finals of the CAF Confederation Cup, keeping fans across the continent eagerly anticipating the outcomes of these pivotal clashes.
First Leg Results:
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Gor Mahia FC 0-3 RS Berkane [Francis Kahata (OG), Bakre El Helali]
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Nkana FC 2-1 CS Sfaxien [Kelvin Kampamba, Freddy Tshimenga || Habib Oueslati]
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Étoile Sahel 3-1 Al Hilal [Zied Boughattas, Yassine Chikhaoui 2 || Athar El Tahir]
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Hassania Agadir 0-0 Zamalek SC
