The TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup group stage delivered another thrilling weekend of football as the competition reached its halfway stage with Matchday 3. African clubs are pushing hard for continental glory, and this round showcased 17 goals across various matches, with tight group standings and everything to play for.
One of the highlights came from Estádio 11 de Novembro, where Bravos do Maquis defeated CS Constantine 3-2, marking their second victory of the tournament and tying them with Simba and Constantine on six points. The Angolan side established early momentum with Francis’ long-range shot and Jó Paciência’s penalty kick giving them a 2-0 lead at halftime. Despite fierce resistance from Constantine, who equalized through goals from Dadi Mouaki and Chahine Belaouel, Célio's last-minute strike sealed the win for Maquis.
At Borg El Arab Stadium, Zamalek continued their strong run with a narrow 1-0 victory against Al Masry, courtesy of Ahmed 'Zizo' Sayed's brilliant strike from outside the box. This win places Zamalek atop Group D with seven points, showcasing their solid defensive display against rivals.
Meanwhile, Simba managed to edge past CS Sfaxien 2-1 at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium. The visitors took the early lead through Hazem Haj Hassen, but Kibu Denis quickly responded, leveling the match with his header. Denis struck twice more, solidifying Simba's second position within Group A.
Conversely, Nigerian giants Enyimba faced disappointment as they suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat to Black Bulls Maputo, leaving them bottom of Group D without any points. Rume Akporoh set the tone for the match with his header, followed by two second-half goals from Fidel Sousa and Ayuba Francis, showcasing Black Bulls' prowess.
The night saw Stellenbosch make their mark as well, narrowly defeating CD Lunda Sul by 1-0. Devin Titus' header late in the match earned the visitors much-needed points, bumping them up to third place in Group B after several missed scoring opportunities from Lunda Sul.
Group C saw Orapa United and Jaraaf draw goalless, leaving both teams grappling for form. ASEC Mimosas, on the other hand, faced USM Alger, who put on quite the display, winning 3-0. Their dominance was highlighted by Mohamed Ali Yabré’s own goal and Ismail Belkacemi’s brace, increasing his tally for the tournament to four goals.
Importantly, RS Berkane continued their impressive form, defeating Stade Malien 1-0. Issoufou Dayo's late penalty secured the win, keeping them undefeated across three games and solidifying their position atop Group B, as the fight for qualifying spots intensifies.
Results by group reveal the shifting dynamics as teams fight for playoff spots. Group A remains competitive with tight scoring among the teams. Bravos do Maquis' success against Constantine added pressure to the group, leaving fans eager for the next matches.
With Zamalek leading Group D, their solid performance against rival Al Masry reinforces their status. What will happen next as the competition heats up? Every point counts, and every match could be pivotal for the teams striving to advance.
Stay tuned as the next fixtures promise to add more excitement and surprises to the tournament. Upcoming matchups include Constantine facing Bravos do Maquis and Simba squaring off against CS Sfaxien; it’s clear, the drama is far from over. The race continues, and teams must give their all as they aim for the knockout rounds.
