CAF Confederation Cup
Young Africans SC will fight back after defeat to USM Alger – Fiston Mayele
Star striker Fiston Kalala Mayele has vowed that he battle is not yet over as Young Africans SC head to Algeria for the return leg of the 2022/2023 TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup final.
The Tanzanian giants suffered a 2-1 home defeat to USM Alger in the first leg of the final played at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Sunday.
Playing on a wet surface infront of a packed Stadium, the Algerian side took the lead after 32 minutes with a well taken header by Aymen Mahous Mahious. The USM Alger defenders tight marked Mayele through out the first half before as the match went into recess 1-0 in favour of the visitors.
But after the interval, the home side spurred on by the fans pushed forward before substitute Bernard Morrison set-up Mayele who volleyed the ball past the USM Alger goalkeeper Benbot Oussama to make it 1-1.
But the Algerian side restored their lead after only two minutes when Islam Merili made it 2-1. In added time Morrison would failed to shot from close range for Young Africans.
But Mayele who has now netted seven goals in the competition made it clear that the battle is not lost yet. “We can also go to Algeria and win. There are still 90 minutes left in Algeria, we are going to wet the jersey for our football team,” added Mayele.
Nabi Nasreddine, the Young Africans coach also made it clear that although his team had not defended so well, they still have a chance in the second leg. “We are going to prepare well so that we are better in the return leg,” added the coach.
The return leg will be played on June 3rd, 2023.
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
Tanzanian Premier League side Singida Black Stars SC scored late to secure a 1-1 draw against Stellenbosch FC in a TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup Group C match played on Sunday night.
After losing their opening Group match, Singida Black Stars Fc went into the match determined to perform better at the New Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar.
The CECAFA Kagame Cup 2025 winners dominated the South African side, but failed to take their chances.
Langelihle Phili gave the visitors the lead after 52 minutes capitalizing on a well taken Ashley Cupido cross.
In the 74th minute, substitute Marouf Tchakei came close to scoring for the hosts, but his chip was saved by the Stellenbosch goalkeeper.
In added time Singida Black Stars earned a penalty, which Tchakei made no mistake converting. Although Stellenbosch are top of Group C with 4 points, while Otoho d’oyo and CR Belouizdad have 3 points each, and Singida Black Stars are bottom of the table with 1 point.
Another team from the CECAFA Zone Nairobi United FC suffered a 1-0 defeat to DR Congos’s AS Maniema in a Group B match played at the Kasarani Stadium.
Jaency Mboma Kinda netted the lone goal after 67 minutes. Wydad AC and Maniema each have 6 points, while Azam FC and Nairobi United have no point.
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