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).
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.
Singida Black Stars FC and Azam FC have registered their first wins in the group stage of the 2025/2026 ToralEnergies CAF Confederation Cup.
Azam FC fought from a goal down to defeat hosts Nairobi Utd in a Group B match played at the Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi.
Duncan Omalla gave Nairobi Utd the lead after 13 minutes, but Jephite Kitambala quickly leveled matters four minutes later. In the second half Nairobi Utd’s goalkeeper Ernst Mohammed scored an own goal to help Azam FC collect maximum points.
Azam FC remain in third place with 3 points, while Wydad AC and Maniema Union each have six points. Naorobi Utd are bottom of the log after losing all the three matches.
At the New Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar, Singida Black Stars scored through Elvis Baranga Rupia to stop AS Otoho 1-0 in a Group C match.
Singida Black Stars FC, the CECAFA Kagame Cup reigning champions are in third place with 4 points, while CR Belouizdad lead the log with 6 points
Azam FC will host Nairobi Utd, while Singida Black Stars play away to AS Otoho on February 1st, 2026
Group B
P W D L GF GA GD Pts
Wydad AC 3 3 0 0 5 0 5 9
Maniema 3 1 1 1 3 1 2 6
Azam FC 3 1 0 2 2 4 -2 3
Nairobi Utd 3 0 0 3 1 6 -5 0
Group C
P W D L GF GA GD Pts
Belouizdad 3 2 0 1 5 4 1 6
Stellenbosh 3 1 1 1 2 3 -1 4
Singida 3 1 1 1 2 3 -1 4
AS Otoho 3 0 0 3 1 6 -5 0
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