All seven teams from the CECAFA Zone last weekend failed to advance to the group stage of the 2023/2024 TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup

Burundi’s Aigle Noir FC hosted Mali’s Stade Malien at the Azam Complex last Friday and won 3-1, but bowed out on an away goals rule scored by the visitors since they had tied 3-3 on aggregate.

On Saturday Djibouti’s Arta Solar who started the match with a 2-0 advantage suffered a 4-1 defeat to hosts Zamalek FC in Cairo, Egypt. They got eliminated on a 4-3 goal aggregate, while Uganda’s KCCA FC also stopped Abu Salem FC (Libya) 3-2 at the St. Marys Stadium, but bowed out 5-4 on aggregate.

It was also a sad day for Rwanda’s Rayon Sport who played the two matches against Libya’s Al Hilal Benghazi, but still failed to sail through to the group stage. The two legs ended 1-1 respectively, but the Libya side won 4-2 during penalty shootouts.

On Sunday three other teams from the CECAFA Zone Bahir Dar Kenema, Al Merriekh Juba and Singida Fountain Gate FC were also eliminated.

The Ethiopian side Bahir Dar Kenema who won the first leg 2-0 suffered a 3-0 defeat away to Club Africian in Tunisia, while South Sudan’s Al Merriekh Juba also fell 3-0 away to Academicado Lobito in Angola.

Tanzania’s Singida Fountain Gate FC were ejected by Future FC (Egypt) 5-2 on aggregate after they suffered a 4-1 defeat in the second leg.

Last season the CECAFA Zone had Young Africans SC from Tanzania play in the group stage and eventually reached the final where they lost to USM Alger (Algeria).

AS Arta Solar shocked Egyptian giants Zamalek 2-0 in a first leg second preliminary round match of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup on Saturday.

The Djibouti side who ejected Horseed FC (Somalia) 6-0 on goal aggregate in the first round scored two second half goals at the Azam Complex, Chamazi in Tanzania.

Gabriel Dadzie scored one minute into the second half, while midfielder Doualeh Mohamoud Elabeh increased Arta Solar’s lead one minute into extra time.

In Libya the match between Al Hilal Benghazi and Rwanda’s Rayon Sport didnot take place, and will be rescheduled by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

On Sunday Burundi’s Aigle Noir FC will play away to Stade Malien in Mali, while Singida Fountain Gate FC (Tanzania) host Future FC (Egypt) at the Azam Complex, Chamazi. Uganda’s KCCA FC will also play away to Abu Salim FC (Libya) in a match that will take place in Tunisia.

In the other matches involving teams from the CECAFA Zone Ethiopia’s Bahir Dar Kenema will host Club Africain (Tunisia) in Addis Ababa, while South Sudan’s Al Merreikh Juba take on Academica do Lobito (Angola) in a match that will be played in Nairobi.

Three teams from the CECAFA Zone have advanced to the second round of the 2023/2024 TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup.

Djibouti’s AS Arta Solar silenced Horseed 3-0 i the return leg played at the Azam Complex, Chamazi on Thursday to qualify on a 6-0 goal aggregate. Gabriel Dadzie netted a brace, while Houmed Ali also got his name on the score sheet.

On Friday Bahir Dar Kenema lost 2-1 to hosts Azam FC, but triumphed 4-3 on penalties after the two teams had tied 3-3 on aggregate.

After only one minute Iddy Seleman Nado gave Azam FC the lead, and Prince Dube doubled the lead 10 minutes later. But the Ethiopian side did not give up their search for goals and their efforts paid off after 18 minutes when Habtamu Zewede scored.

Burundi’s Aigle Noir picked a walkover Hay al-Arab. AS Arta Solar will now face five-time African champions Zamalek in the second round, while Bahir Dar Kenema take on Club Africain (Tunisia). The second round matches will be played September 15-17th for the first leg and September 29th to October 1st for the second legs.

On Saturday Kenya’s Kakamega Homeboyz will play away to Al-Hilal Bengazi in Libya, while JKU SC (Zanzibar) battle Signida Fountain Gate FC (Tanzania). South Sudan’s Al Merreikh Juba will also face Haidab Al Nuhod.

Ethiopia’s Bahir Dar Kenema and AS Arta Solar (Djibouti) picked wins last weekend in the 2023/2-24 TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup first preliminary round.

Bahir Dar Kenema defeated visiting Azam FC (Tanzania) 2-1 in a match played at the Abebe Bikila Stadium in Addis Ababa on Sunday.

Fitsum Gebre gave the hosts the lead after 20 minutes to put the home fans in the perfect mood to cheer all the way. After the interval Gebre netted his second of the day in the 60th minute, but Azam FC pulled a goal back after 72 minutes through Idris Mbombo.

Burundi’s Aigle Noir who were meant to face Hay al-Arab on Sunday picked a walkover after the Sudan team indicated they cannot honour the match.

On Saturday former Djibouti Premier League champions AS Arta Solar defeated Horseed FC (Somalia) 3-0 in a match played at the Azam Complex, Chamazi in Tanzania.

Yacouba Songné gave the AS Arta Solar team the lead after only 2 minutes. Former Burkina Faso International Traore Alian added two more goals to ensure the Djibouti team had a perfect start to the campaign.

Al Merreikh Juba (South Sudan) also defeated Haidob Al Nuhad (Sudan) 1-0, while Kenya’s Kakamega Homeboyz FC settled for a goalless draw against visiting Al Hilal Benghazi (Libya).

The return legs will be played on August 27th, 2023.