Photo Credit: USM Alger
The group stage of the 2024-25 CAF Confederation Cup begins on Wednesday and Group C includes some fascinating contenders for a place in the knockout stages. 2022-23 Confederation Cup winners USM Alger of Algeria are joined by legendary Ivorian club ASEC Mimosas, a promising ASC Jaraaf side from Senegal and a very interesting Orapa United team from Botswana. Learn all about each club and which players to watch below.
ASEC Mimosas (CIV)
Background
ASEC Mimosas, founded in 1948 in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, is an emblematic club of African football. Created by a group of football enthusiasts from various regions of Africa, notably Dahomey (Benin), Burkina Faso, Togo and Ivory Coast, ASEC has established itself as a reference thanks to its national and continental successes.
Since its creation, the club has won 29 Ivorian top division titles as well as numerous national cup competitions. On the continental level, ASEC made history with its victory in the CAF Champions League in 1998 in addition to several notable performances in continental club competitions including finals and semi-final finishes.
The club is also renowned for its quality infrastructure, notably its training center in Sol Béni and the MimoSifcom Academy, which has trained numerous international caliber players, thus consolidating its position among the most influential clubs on the African continent.
How did they qualify?
ASEC qualified after finishing in third place at the conclusion of the 2023-24 Ivorian Ligue 1 season.
Qualifying stages
First Round: Bye
Second Round: Defeated ASC Kara (TOG) 3-2 on aggregate
Coach: Julien Chevalier
Photo Credit: ASEC Mimosas
Since 2019, French coach Julien Chevalier has written his name in the history of ASEC Mimosas by winning two consecutive Ivorian championships (Ligue 1) in 2021 and 2022. He has been able to combine tradition and modernity in his tactical approach, favoring the emergence of young talents while integrating experienced players. Under his leadership, ASEC continued to shine at the national level and marked its return to CAF competitions, reaching the semi-final of the Confederation Cup in 2023 and the quarter-finals of the CAF Champions League last season.
Important Player: Salifou Diarrassouba
Photo Credit: ASEC Mimosas
The diminutive 22-year-old attacker previously represented Burkina Faso at the 2019 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations before changing his allegiance to Ivory Coast, representing the Elephants at the 2022 African Nations Championship (CHAN). A dynamic attacking midfielder who can also operate on either wing, Diarrassouba is a nuisance to opposing defenses with his pace and dribbling ability. Last season during ASEC's run to the quarterfinals of the CAF Champions League, Diarrassouba completed 34 of his 50 dribble attempts in 11 matches.
USM Alger (ALG)
Background
USM Alger was founded in 1937 as a result of the movement of Algerian nationalism, the leaders of which encouraged the growth of sports clubs to bring together the youth of the country under French colonialism. The Algiers club are well known for their passionate supporters who show their enthusiasm with pyrotechnics, elaborate tifos and vocal chanting that creates one of the most inhospitable environments for visiting opponents.
USMA have won eight Algerian Ligue 1 titles as well as eight Algerian Cups during their existence while maintaining fierce rivalries with fellow Algiers clubs MC Alger and CR Belouizdad. The club won their first CAF club competition at the conclusion of the 2022-23 season when they captured the Confederation Cup by defeating Tanzania's Young Africans.
How did they qualify?
USM Alger qualified after a fourth place finish at the conclusion of the 2023-24 Algeria Ligue 1 Professionnelle season.
Qualifying stages
First Round: Bye
Second Round: Defeated Stade Tunisien (TUN) 2-1 on aggregate
Coach: Nabil Maâloul
Photo Credit: USM Alger
The 62-year-old Tunisian has a long and successful career in football both as a player and a coach. An attacking midfielder in his playing days who was the top scorer of Tunisia's Ligue 1 Professionnelle with Espérance ST in 1988, Maâloul also participated with Tunisia at the Summer Olympic Games in the same year.
As a coach, Maâloul remarkably won the treble with Espérance in 2011 capturing the Tunisian top tier, the Coupe du Tunisie and the CAF Champions League. He coached Kuwait at the 2015 Asian Cup and his native Tunisia at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, also spending time with clubs in Qatar, Kuwait and the Syria national team in addition to time spent with the top clubs of Tunisia. Maâloul is a giant of Tunisian football and would love to add the Confederation Cup to his large trophy case.
Important Player: Saâdi Redouani
Photo Credit: USM Alger
The 29-year-old right back is in his fifth season with USMA and is a consistent player who is beloved by the club's supporters. Redouani was excellent during the run to the 2022-23 Confederation Cup title, contributing two goals and three assists. Equally strong in attack or when defending, the USMA captain finished his youth development at the club and gives his all. After appearing for the Algeria domestic-based national team at the 2022 African Nations Championship (CHAN), he recently earned his first appearance for the full senior team in a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Togo in October.
Author: Andrew Olsson
ASC Jaraaf (SEN)
Background
Founded in 1969, Jaraaf are the most successful and popular club in the history of Senegalese football. The name of the club pays tribute to the Serer language spoken in Senegal and The Gambia where 'Jaraaf' is a term for members of the influential council of nobles who elected Serer kings before colonialism. Jaraaf have won a record twelve Senegalese Ligue 1 title and sixteen domestic cups.
Jaraaf's best accomplishment in CAF competitions was reaching the semifinals of the 1983 African Cup of Champions Clubs, the predecessor of the CAF Champions League where they fell to mighty Asante Kotoko of Ghana. Since then the most notable accomplishment for the club from Dakar was reaching the Round of 16 of the Confederation Cup in 2011.
How did they qualify?
Jaraaf qualified by winning the 2023 Coupe du Sénégal.
Qualifying stages
First Round: Defeated East End Lions (SLE) 4-0 on aggregate
Second Round: Defeated Racing Club Abidjan (CIV) 3-0 on aggregate
Coach: Malick Daf
Photo Credit: ASC Jaraaf l'officiel
Known for his brilliance leading youth teams including the Senegalese U-17 national team, Daf's passion for youth development previously saw him choose coaching the Senegal U-17 team over Jaraaf when he coached both teams in 2021. However the 56-year-old is back leading the club following his re-appointment in October 2023.
Jaraaf are in hot form so far this season with decisive victories in the qualifying rounds for the Confederation Cup and an undefeated record through five matches in Senegal's Ligue 1. Under the leadership of Daf this Jaraaf team could replicate their success from the 2021 Confederation Cup when the team he left during the qualifying stages reached the Round of 16.
Important Player: Abdou Aziz Ndiaye
Photo Credit: ASC Jaraaf l'officiel
In a country that has proven itself to be the best in Africa when it comes to developing and exporting young talents, scouts from abroad need to pay attention to Abdou Aziz Ndiaye. A 19-year-old fullback who can play on either flank and prefers his right foot, Ndiaye is an energetic presence who excels at progressing the ball with pace and picks the right moments to venture forward. A Senegal youth international, Ndiaye was rewarded for his strong play with Jaraaf when he was called up to the full Senegal national team for 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Malawi in October.
Author: Andrew Olsson
Orapa United (BWA)
Background
Based in the town of Orapa in an area of Botswana well known for diamond mining, the Ostriches have accomplished a lot in a short time since their founding in 2012. The club gained promotion to the top division of Botswana football for the 2013-14 season.
After narrowly avoiding relegation back to the second tier in their debut Botswana Premier League campaign, Orapa shot up to second place the next season and then won the Mascom Top 8 Cup the following season. The cup victory qualified them for their CAF club competition debut and this season marks their third appearance at the Confederation Cup.
How did they qualify?
Orapa United qualified after winning the 2024 Botswana FA Challenge Cup.
Qualifying stages
First Round: Defeated Foresters Mont Fleuri FC (SEZ) 3-1 on aggregate
Second Round: Defeated Dynamos FC (ZIM) 3-1 in a penalty kick shootout following a 1-1 aggregate draw
Coach: Dimitar Pantev
Photo Credit: Orapa United
The 48-year-old Bulgarian may be one of the most intriguing figures in African football. After a journeyman playing career in his native country, Pantev began coaching while still playing in Bulgarian football and served as player-manager at Spartak Varna. He spent seven years coaching futsal as well with two spells as the manager of the Bulgaria national futsal team.
After further coaching spells in Palestine and India, Pantev made his first journey into African football with Cameroon's Victoria United where he guided the club to promotion from the second tier and then their first-ever top division title following the 2023-24 season. Now at Orapa, Pantev's footballing journey around the world has brought him to the biggest stage of his career in the Confederation Cup.
Important Player: Ivan Kamberipa
Photo Credit: Orapa United
In an Orapa side that only features a couple of players from outside Botswana, the towering Namibia national team central defender is the most impactful. Kamberipa played a major role on the other end of the pitch in Orapa's qualification for the group stage with two goals scored including a crucial equalizer away in the second leg of their second round clash against Zimbabwe's Dynamos FC. The 30-year-old started two matches during Namibia's surprise run to the Round of 16 at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and figures to be a key player for the Ostriches who rely on a strong defense.
Author: Andrew Olsson
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