The quarterfinals of the CAF Confederation Cup began on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, with significant first-leg victories from RS Berkane and Al Masry. At the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan, Morocco’s RS Berkane, the competition’s two-time champions, defeated Ivorian team ASEC Mimosas 1-0 on the road thanks to a goal by Imad Rihai. Following David Brou Koffi’s dismissal for a second bookable offence, the hosts likewise ended up with ten men.
At the Suez Stadium, Egypt’s Al Masry defeated Tanzania’s Simba SC 2-0, with goals from Abderrahim Deghmoum in the first half and John Ebuka in the second half. Meanwhile, the Algerian derby between CS Constantine and USM Alger ended in a 1-1 draw at the Chahid Hamlaoui Stadium. Mounder Temine gave CS Constantine the lead, and although Mehdi Merghem’s missed penalty early in the second half appeared to have cost USM Alger an opportunity to rally, Kevin Mondeko Zatu tied the score with less than 20 minutes remaining. However, teammate Salim Boukhenchouche was sent off shortly after, forcing the Algiers visitors to hold out for a draw.
RS Berkane achieved a valuable 1-0 victory over their host ASEC Mimosas during the match that took place on Wednesday evening in the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup quarter-finals. The only goal of the match was scored by player Imad Riahi in the 75th minute, giving his team an important advantage before the second leg, which will be held in Morocco. With this victory, RS Berkane, the sole representative of Morocco in this tournament, has taken a significant step towards qualifying for the semi-finals after an impressive run in the group stage. If RS Berkane manages to qualify, they will face the winner of the match between the Algerian teams CS Constantine and USM Alger in the semi-finals.
In this match, RS Berkane had a solid performance, boasting 55% ball possession. The Moroccan club tried relentlessly to unsettle the Ivorian defense, displaying palpable determination from the kickoff. Despite several chances on both sides, the defenses held firm, sending the teams to the locker rooms with a goalless draw.
Upon returning from the break, RS Berkane intensified their attacks. In the 75th minute, Moroccan forward Imad Riahi navigated through the Ivorian defense and scored the only goal of the match with a precise strike. ASEC Mimosas attempted to recover but were weakened by the expulsion of Kouadio Brou David Koffi for accumulating yellow cards. The clash concluded with a final score of 1-0 in favor of the Moroccan side, placing them in a strong position heading into the second leg.
Meanwhile, Al Masry also showcased their strength in their match against Simba SC. The Egyptian side secured a convincing 2-0 victory, with Abderrahim Deghmoum scoring the opener and John Ebuka adding a second goal in the second half. This performance solidifies Al Masry's chances of progressing further in the tournament.
In another quarterfinal match, CS Constantine and USM Alger played to a 1-1 draw. Mounder Temine scored first for CS Constantine, but USM Alger's Kevin Mondeko Zatu leveled the score late in the match. Mehdi Merghem's missed penalty for USM Alger proved costly, and Salim Boukhenchouche's subsequent red card left the visitors scrambling to hold onto the draw.
The results of the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup quarter-finals are as follows:
- Stellenbosch FC 0-0 Zamalek
- ASEC Mimosas 0-1 RS Berkane
- CS Constantine 1-1 USM Alger
- Al Masry 2-0 Simba SC
Looking ahead, the second leg matches are scheduled for Wednesday, April 10, 2025. The matchups include:
- 14:00: Simba (Tanzania) vs. Al Masry (Egypt)
- 17:00: Zamalek (Egypt) vs. Stellenbosch (South Africa)
- 20:00: RS Berkane (Morocco) vs. ASEC Mimosas (Ivory Coast)
- USM Alger (Algeria) vs. CS Constantine (Algeria)
As the quarterfinals progress, fans are eager to see how these matches unfold and which teams will secure their spots in the semifinals. The stakes are high, and the excitement is palpable as teams vie for a chance at continental glory.
