Photo Credit: RS Berkane
The group stage of the 2024-25 CAF Confederation Cup begins on Wednesday with a full slate of matches featuring all participants. Last season's runners-up RS Berkane headline Group B along with historic Malian giants Stade Malien. Two young clubs looking to make a major impact on their CAF club competition debuts are South Africa's Stellenbosch FC and CD Lunda Sul of Angola. Read all about the Group B participants below.
RS Berkane (MAR)
Background
Renaissance Sportive de Berkane, founded in 1938, is one of the most emblematic clubs in Moroccan football. Based in Berkane, in eastern Morocco, it is particularly recognized for its recent exploits on the continental scene. The club has managed to rise among the great African teams thanks to a strategy based on solid collective play and effective recruitment.
Driven by ambitious management and fervent support from its supporters, RS Berkane has consolidated its status as a formidable team. These last few years have been synonymous with consecration for the “Oranges”. In 2020, they won their first continental title by winning the final of the CAF Confederation Cup. They repeated this feat in 2022, confirming their domination in this competition. These successes have allowed RS Berkane to become an ambassador of Moroccan football on the African scene while drawing attention to the development of football in less publicized regions of the country.
How did they qualify?
RS Berkane finished third place in Morocco's top division Botola Pro during the 2023-24 season.
Qualifying stages
First Round: Bye
Second Round: Defeated Dadje FC (BEN) 7-0 on aggregate
Coach: Mouine Chaâbani
Mouine Chaabani, the coach of Renaissance Sportive de Berkane, is a Tunisian technician who has built a solid reputation thanks to his success with high-level clubs. Former coach of Club Africain in his native country, he also managed Tunisian titans Espérance Sportive de Tunis with whom he won several domestic and continental titles.
His reputation in Africa has been consolidated with the ability to combine a rigorous tactical approach and a sense of adaptation to the specificities of African competitions. This management style notably marked his time at the head of Berkane, which he joined with the mission of strengthening the team in continental competitions.
Alone in front of the Moroccan Botola Pro table after eleven matchdays, the Tunisian technician calmly drives the RSB club car as a potential candidate for the title of champion.
Important Player: Munir Mohamedi
Munir Mohammedi, the Moroccan international goalkeeper, has proven himself in several clubs, notably in Spain. He had a notable period with CD Numancia before joining the Moroccan national team. He was part of the selection during the 2018 World Cup, where he was a valuable replacement behind the holder, Yassine Bounou.
The 35-year-old is appreciated for his solidity on his line, his kicking game and his ability to make decisive saves in crucial moments. Since his debut in Europe, he has continued to build a reputation as a reliable goalkeeper, while bringing his experience within the Atlas Lions group. His arrival at RS Berkane reinforces the club's ambitions to do well on the continental scene with a solid and experienced defense.
Author: Omar Chraibi
Stade Malien (MLI)
Background
Stade Malien, based in Bamako, is one of the most prestigious clubs in Mali. Founded in 1960 following the merger of Espérance de Médina Coura and Jeanne d'Arc de Bamako, the club quickly established itself as a reference in Malian football.
Stade Malien's track record is one of the richest in African football and particularly Malian football. The club has won 23 Malian Première Division titles with its last coronation in 2020-2021, a small proof of its domination on the national scene. On the national level the club has also won 23 Coupes du Mali including the most recent edition in 2024. At the continental level Stade Malien distinguished itself in the CAF Champions League where it reached the final in 1965, a major feat which remains engraved in the history of the club. But it was in 2009 that the club marked a new glorious page in its history by winning the CAF Confederation Cup, beating ES Sétif in the final. With its emblematic blue and white colors, Stade Malien remains a key player in African football.
How did they qualify?
Stade Malien qualified by winning the 2023-24 edition of the Coupe du Mali.
Qualifying stages
First Round: Bye
Second Round: Defeated Paynesville FC (LBR) 3-2 on aggregate
Coach: Mamoutou Kané "Mourlé"
The club is currently led by Mamoutou Kané, nicknamed "Mourlé", an experienced coach who recently took charge of the team. He was able to bring a new dynamic to the team. Under his leadership, Stade Malien continues to dominate Malian football while distinguishing itself in African competition. Kané is recognized for his ability to get the best out of his players, combining tactical discipline and creativity. His leadership is a major asset for the club, especially in major continental competitions where he has been able to adapt his strategies to maximize his team's performance.
Important Player: Mamadou Doumbia
With his extensive experience, Malian international Mamadou Doumbia is one of the team's leaders. After a short stay at Tanzanian club Young Africans, the central defender made his comeback with the blues and whites of Bamako earlier this year. The 29-year-old represented Mali at two editions of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) in 2016 and 2021 is an important leader in the heart of the Stade Malien defense.
Author: Hilary Christelle Tolo Kpadonou
Stellenbosch (RSA)
Background
Stellenbosch FC are among South Africa’s newer clubs. They entered professional football following the rebranding of second tier outfit Vasco da Gama FC which moved base to the Cape Winelands region in 2016. In the 2019/20 season they made their top flight debut after winning the second tier league title and have grown stronger each year. They are the first professional football club in a region that is more well known for producing rugby stars.
In 2021 one player from Stellies, as the club is known, was selected for the South Africa men’s senior national team. By last season they were crowned the inaugural Carling Knockout Cup champions to earn entry to the CAF Confederation Cup, which marks their entry into African competition. In the recent final round of group qualifiers for the Africa Cup of Nations, three Stellies players – Fawaaz Basadien, Sage Stephens and Devin Titus - helped South Africa dismantle South Sudan 3-0. Among the goalscorers was Iqraam Rayners, a former Stellies striker who this season joined champion club Mamelodi Sundowns. He is among several players who have been snapped up by bigger clubs since Stellies’ formation.
How did they qualify?
Stellenbosch qualified by finishing in third place in the South Africa's Betway Premiership at the end of the 2023-24 season.
Qualifying stages
First Round: Defeated Nsingizini Hotspurs (SWZ) 8-0 on aggregate
Second Round: Defeated AS Vita Club (COD) 3-1 on aggregate
Coach: Steve Barker
Photo Credit: Stellenbosch FC
A key figure in the club’s growth is coach Steve Barker, nephew of the late former South Africa national team coach Clive Barker. He has been with the club since guiding them to promotion, and earlier this year he obtained his CAF A Licence which allows him to sit on the bench for CAF matches. Following a ten-year playing career with Wits University and SuperSport United, the 56-year-old managed University of Pretoria (Tuks FC) and Durban club AmaZulu before taking charge of Stellies in 2017.
Important Player: Olivier Touré
Photo Credit: Stellenbosch FC
Besides their national team rising stars, Stellenbosch will rely heavily on Ivorian central defender Olivier Touré. The 26-year-old former ASEC Mimosas player is a regular for Stellies in his second season with them after signing from Marumo Gallants. Already at the start of this season Touré was tipped to join Kaizer Chiefs or Orlando Pirates, two of the big money clubs in South Africa. With the transfer having failed to materialize, Toure will be central to the team’s Confederation Cup campaign.
Author: Kamlesh Gosai
CD Lunda Sol (ANG)
Background
Clube Desportivo Lunda Sul are relatively new participants in Angola’s elite league Girabola. They currently lie sixth in the standings, 11 points behind leaders Primeiro de Agosto with 11 games played so far. The club was promoted to the Girabola only three seasons ago for the 2021-22 season and now have an opportunity to clash with top African clubs.
Sul are the preferred home for Brazilians; they feature at least four such as striker Cairo and defender Junior Goiano in the starting line-up thanks to compatriot coach Maurillo Silva. They play home games at 4,300-seater Estadio Mundunduleno and are located in Lunda Sul province in northeast Angola.
How did they qualify?
CD Lunda Sul finished in third place at the conclusion of the 2023-24 Girabola campaign.
Qualifying stages
First Round: Defeated Elgeco Plus (MDG) on the away goal rule following a 1-1 aggregate draw
Second Round: Defeated Sekhukhune United (RSA) on the away goal rule following a 2-2 aggregate draw
Coach: Maurílio Silva
Photo Credit: Clube Desportivo Da Lunda Sul
A 54-year-old native of Brasília, the federal capital of Brazil, Maurílio Silva enjoyed a playing career that spanned over twenty years with the likes of Brazilian giants Palmeiras, Paraná and Portuguese club Vitória de Guimarães. Following his retirement in 2009, Maurílio embarked on a managerial career that has seen him in charge of over twenty clubs primarily in the northeast of his native Brazil. The veteran took on the challenge of coaching CD Lunda Sul for the 2022-23 season where his experience has helped launch the young club to new heights.
Important Player: René
Photo Credit: Clube Desportivo Da Lunda Sul
The 31-year-old spent the majority of his career as a squad player with Angolan clubs like Interclube and Recreativo do Libolo but is enjoying a late career renaissance since joining CD Lunda Sul during their debut campaign in the 2021-22 Girabola. A left back who displays his experience with confident distribution and discipline, René is the captain and leader of a defensive unit that has only conceded six goals in eleven league matches this season. Head coach Maurílio brought in some defensive reinforcements from the lower leagues of Brazil including powerful center back Júnior Goiano and goalkeeper Nayan but René is a domestic player to watch whose left foot is able to find the goal from free kicks and the penalty spot.
Author: Andrew Olsson
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