Sunday will see the completion of the 2022-23 CAF Confederation Cup quarterfinals with three ties very much still up for grabs. Tanzania’s Young Africans appear to be all but through after a strong first leg victory in Nigeria while ASEC Mimosas of Ivory Coast and South African club Marumo Gallans have excellent opportunities to advance past North African competition. In the final matchup featuring a duel between Moroccan and Algerian clubs, USM Alger will attempt to defend a two-goal advantage in the Moroccan capital Rabat against Royal Army club ASFAR. Read more on each matchup below.
ASEC Mimosas (CIV) vs. US Monastir (TUN)
Stade Bouaké, Bouaké; Tied 0-0 after first leg
US Monastir have done well considering the Tunisian club is participating in three competitions but the amount of matches is taking a toll on the squad as seen in their uninspiring first leg performance that ended in a scoreless draw. Notable injuries to players like Nigerien midfield talisman Youssouf Oumarou make hosts ASEC the slight favorites to advance in the second leg but Les Mimos are in the midst of a busy stretch of games themselves. Both clubs are seeking their first ever Confederation Cup semifinal appearance.
ASEC must make sure they are secure in their set piece defending because Monastir playmaker Haykeul Chikhaoui is an expert who can create the crucial away goal that might make the difference. Players like Aubin Kramo and Pacôme Zouzoua must be efficient on their opportunities but a strong midfield led by rising 21-year-old star Mohamed Zougrana can help ASEC remain in control of the tie.
Marumo Gallants (RSA) vs. Pyramids FC (EGY)
Dobsonville Stadium, Johannesburg; Tied 1-1 after first leg
Marumo Gallants are one good performance away from continuing their dream run in continental competition after another excellent team effort saw the club from Limpopo province find a valuable away goal from last week’s 1-1 draw in Cairo. Despite continuing to fight relegation in South Africa’s DStv Premiership, Gallants are finding their form on all fronts thanks to strong team efforts and the emergence of journeyman striker Ranga Chivaviro as a star who can provide the goals.
However, Gallants face a Pyramids team with plenty of high priced talent and experience in the late stages of the Confederation Cup. Ramadan Sobhi equalized late in the first leg from the penalty spot and is the key figure to watch for Pyramids as well as Mostafa Fathi who failed to take advantage of his opportunities in Cairo. Gallants’ experienced goalkeeper Washington Arubi will have to continue his strong form for the South African club to advance.
ASFAR (MAR) vs. USM Alger (ALG)
Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat; USM Alger lead 2-0 after first leg
ASFAR are one of the captivating sides in African football this season with their powerful attack leading the Moroccan Royal Army club to the top of Morocco’s Botola Pro this season, but USM Alger did excellently to achieve a 2-0 result in the first leg. Now ASFAR must find goals while avoiding the concession of an away goal to an USMA club that has several dangerous attackers. Young forward Hamza Igmane is ASFAR’s most dangerous threat after Reda Slim was sent off in the final seconds of the first leg but he will need support from his fellow attackers.
USM Alger have plenty of experience and talent to finish the job in Morocco. Abderrahmane Meziane and Brahim Benzaza are players who can provide the service for strikers Aymen Mahious and Tumisang Orebonye, both forwards with experience on the Algeria and Botswana national teams respectively. Zineddine Belaid scored in the first leg but the central defender’s leadership will be valuable to lead the USMA defense in what will be a hostile environment in Rabat.
Young Africans (TZA) vs. Rivers United (NGA)
Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, Dar es Salaam; Young Africans lead 2-0 after first leg
All circumstances point to Sunday being a match without worries for hosts Young Africans of Tanzania, a club with serious aspirations to win the competition. Congolese striker Fiston Mayele was at his best in the first leg played in Nigeria with two late goals from the former AS Vita Club marksman securing the victory. The management of Yanga are taking no chances despite the comfortable first leg victory away from home and are offering 300 million Tanzanian shillings ($129,400) to the club for a victory on Sunday in Dar es Salaam.
Due to financial issues, reigning Nigerian champions Rivers United will arrive in Tanzania the day before the match with little time to prepare making their task even more difficult. Questions still remain about the status of star forward Paul Acquah with the former Hearts of Oak player still recovering from injury. Considering the lack of proper preparation and the star power in the Young Africans squad, it appears that Rivers need nothing short of a miracle to overturn the deficit away from home.
