TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup Review: USM Alger stamp their authority, minnows claim famous win over experienced sides
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The TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup Match Day 2 fixtures continued to live up to the hype and excitement of African club football this past weekend.
Match Day 2, involving all 16 clubs of the four groups had all the ingredients of what African club football has produced over the years.
Defending champions of the competition, USM Alger further stamped their authority as tournament favourites after another convincing victory as they put South Africa’s SuperSport United to the sword in their own backyard with a 2-0 victory to retain their leading position in Group A.
Another North African side has also been in fine form in the last two rounds, as they look to reclaim their title. Morocco’s RS Berkane, who lifted the title in Uyo in 2022 were away to Stade Malien and with the tie evenly contested, they showed their championship mettle with a hard-fought 2-1 away win.
All eyes were on the West African duel between Ghana’s Dreams FC who were desperate for a result after last weekend’s disappointment in Tunisia.
A brave showing by the Ghanaians saw them overcome Nigeria’s Rivers United in a highly entertaining encounter that went 2-1 in favour of Dreams.
The most eye-catching result of the weekend was indeed in South Africa when tournament debutants, Sekhukhune United – a club founded just three years ago won its first ever TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup group match against Diables Noirs.
The 2-1 victory at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane is one of many potential upsets of the tournament as the race towards a place in the knockout stages continues over the next weeks.
