CAF Confederation Cup
Tanzania’s Young Africans SC send strong message
Young Africans SC last night finished runners-up in the 2022/2023 TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup.
The Tanzanian giants beat hosts USM Alger 1-0 at Stade du 5 Juillet in Algiers on Saturday night to finish 2-2 on aggregate, but the Algerians edged them out on an away goals rule.
It was Djuma Shabani’s first half converted penalty that ensured the Young Africans SC team proved a point that they can win away from home. The Tanzanian side also had man of the match Djigui Diarra save USM Alger’s skipper Zineddine Belaid’s second-half penalty.
But as many where celebrating the end of an entertaining final, several other people also noted that Young Africans SC have sent a strong message and represented Tanzania and the CECAFA region well.
Yussuf Mossi, the CECAFA competitions Director noted that Young Africans have proved a point this season that they have been very organized and performed well. “They have sent a strong message home and as CECAFA we are happy with their performance and hope that as a region we keep getting better and better in the CAF competitions,” added Mossi.
Ahmed Ahmed Yusuf, a strong USM Alger supporter also made it clear that the Tanzanian team had sent a strong message to the continent. “Although they did not win the Cup, they have showed that they are an organized team. It is not easy to come here and beat USM Alger at home,” added Yusuf.
“As East Africans we are very impressed with the way Young Africans SC have carried the flag high. They have sent a strong message because they have beaten some strong teams in the continent enroute to the final,” says David Murungi from Rwanda.
Micky Nsuva, who follows a lot of Football in Tanzania told Cecafaonline that Young Africans Sc have been a class apart this season and have represented the country well. “They invested and have planned well and now the results are coming in. They are winning everything in Tanzania and now reached the final in a CAF competition,” added Nsuva.
Samia Suluhu, the President of Tanzania also congratulated the Young Africans SC team. “The history yo have written in your journey to this Championship is great and honorable for Nation. I wish you all the best in your future plans,” added Suluhu.
Although Young Africans SC lost in the final, they had star striker Fiston Kalala Mayele finish top scorer with seven goals, and will also pick a cash prize of US$1 million for finishing second.
After failing to go past Sudan’s Al Hilal in the final TotalEnergies CAF Champions League match to decide if they make it to the group stage, Young Africans SC showed good form I the Confederation Cup by brushing aside the likes of Club Africain, Union Monastirienne (Tunisia), Real Bamako (Maki), TP Mazembe (DR Congo), Rivers United (Nigeria) and Marumo Gallants (South Africa).
Rwanda Premier League side Rayon Sports will kick start their 2026/2027 TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup campaign tonight with a match against Panthere Sportive du Nde’e in Cameroon.
The match is the first preliminary round to take place at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaounde.
Fresh from winning the regional CECAFA Kgame Cup, Rayon Sport FC will be all out to kick start their campaign on a good note before hosting the Cameroon side in the return leg on September 12th in Kigali.
Christian Francis Haringingo, the Rayon Sport head coach has made it clear they must go all out for a win. “The four matches we played in the Kagame Cup have also helped us get good match practice and the team is ready,” said the Rayon Sport coach.
Two other teams from the CECAFA Zone Al Alsahil from Sudan will also be in action against Welwalo Adigrat (Ethiopia) in a match to be played at the Kigali Pele Stadium, Rwanda.
On Saturday Zanzibar’s KMKM SC will play away to Al Ahly Tripoli (Libya), while five matches involving CECAFA teams take place on Sunday.
September 4
Panthere Sportive du Nde’e vs Rayon Sports FC
Al Alshahil vs Welwalo Adrigrat
September 5
KMKM SC vs Al Ahly Tripoli
September 6
Mogadishu City vs Kitara FC
Durban City FC vs Rukinzo FC
Al-Ghazala FC vs Singida Black Stars
Al Ahli Madani vs Tusker FC
ZED FC vs ASAS Djibouti Telecom
Fresh from taking part in the CECAFA Kagame Cup, Mogadishu City Club FC will face Kitara FC (Uganda) in the first preliminary round of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup.
The two teams were drawn together during the official draw conducted by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Thursday in Cairo, Egypt.
Mogadishu City Club who will host their matches in Nairobi, Kenya will play the first leg at home before traveling to Uganda. The first leg matches will take place September 4-6th, while the return legs are slated for September 11-13th.
The winner between the Ugandan team and Mogadishu City Club will face African giants Al Ahly SC in the second preliminary in October.
Sudan’s Al Hilal Alsahii and Walwalo Adigrat USC (Ethiopia) will also face off, with the winner facing the winner between KMKM SC (Zanzibar) and Al Ahly Tripoli in the second preliminary round.
Tanzania Premier League side who were exempted from the first preliminary round will face the winner between ZED FC (Egypt) and ASAS Djibouti Tel.
Rwanda’s Rayon Sport FC who are in the CECAFA Kagame Cup final on Friday will tussle it out with Pathere Sportive FC in the first round, while Burundi’s Rukinzo FC take on Durban City FC (South Africa) in the first preliminary round.
Two other matches involving teams from the CECAFA Zone will see Al Ahli Madani (Sudan) face Tusker FC (Kenya), while South Sudan’s Al-Ghazala SC battle Singida Black Stars FC (Tanzania).
The Second Preliminary Round will begin from October 16-18, before the decisive return legs are staged from October 23-25.
It was a weekend of mixed results for the three teams from the CECAFA Zone in the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup group stage.
Azam FC kept their chances of making it to the knock out stage alive after picking a 1-0 win against Maniema Union in a Group B match played at the New Amaan Stadium on Saturday.
Sadio Kanoute netted the lone goal to send coach Florent Ibenge’s team to nine points ahead of the last deciding match they will play away to Wydad AC in Morocco.
On Sunday Nairobi United and Singida Black Stars suffered home defeats.
The Kenyan Premier League side Nairobi United put up a good show, but conceded late after 89 minutes through Wissam Ben Yedder. The defeat leaves Nairobi United bottom of Group B without a single point.
CECAFA Kagame Cup reigning champions Singida Black Stars FC also failed to capitalize on home advantage and lost 1-0 to Algeria’s CK Belouizdad.
Abdennour Iheb Beihocini scored early after only three minutes in the Group C match played at the New Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar.
The defeat blew away any chances of Singida Black Stars FC making it to the knock out stage since they only have 4 points, while second placed Oto d’Oyo have nine points.
The final group matches of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup will be played on February 15th, 2026.
Attacking midfielder Feisal Salum netted the only goal to guide Azam FC to a 1-0 win against Nairobi United FC in a Group B tie of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup.
Salum netted in the 12th minute for the Tanzania Premier League side at the New Azaam Stadium on Sunday.
The Kenya Premier League side who are also making their debut in the group stage of any CAF tournament tried to push forward, but failed to break the Azam FC defending line.
“We are happy to pick two straight wins against Nairobi United, and now we must focus on our next home match against Maniema Union,” Azam FC head coach Florent Ibenge said after the match.
Azam FC who are third on the log with 6 points keep chase of the top teams Wydad AC (Morocco) and Maniema Union who have each collected nine points.
In another match played Singida Black Stars FC suffered a 2-1 away defeat to AS Otoho in a Group C match.
Joseph Guede Gnadou netted Siingida Black Stars FC’s late goal, while Pomi Nzaou scored a brace for the hosts to send them to second place with 6 points.
The Tanzania Premier League side will now turn focus on their home match against table leaders CR Belouizdad (Algeria) on February 8th at the New Amaan Stadium.
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