Photo Credit: TotalEnergies CAF Champions League & Confederation Cup
The group stage of the 2024-25 CAF Confederation Cup begins on Wednesday with all groups scheduled to take part. Defending champions Zamalek of Egypt are back to defend their crown and will have a familiar Egyptian Premier League foe awaiting them in Al Masry. Find out more about how the Egyptian clubs look this season and also learn more about famous Nigerian club Enyimba and the new kids on the block in Mozambique, Black Bulls.
Zamalek (EGY)
Background
Zamalek SC, known as the "White Knights," is one of the most successful and historic football clubs in Africa. With a remarkable record of five CAF Champions League titles and numerous domestic and international achievements, Zamalek has established itself as a powerhouse in African football. The team is currently competing in the group stages of the CAF Confederation Cup and are the reigning champions after defeating RS Berkane of Morocco in the final last season.
In addition to their five continental titles, Zamalek have won two Confederation Cups, 28 Egypt Cups and 14 Egyptian Premier League titles where they clash with eternal Cairo rivals Al Ahly.
How did they qualify?
Zamalek qualified as the defending champions after winning the 2023-24 Confederation Cup. Last season they finished 3rd in the Egyptian Premier League.
Qualifying stages
First Round: Bye
Second Round: Defeated Police FC (KEN) 3-1 on aggregate
Coach: José Gomes
Photo Credit: Zamalek SC
José Gomes is a Portuguese football manager born on August 28, 1970.
He has built an accomplished career across multiple countries and leagues. He has managed clubs in Portugal, Hungary, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, England, Spain, and Egypt.
Notably, Gomes led Al Taawoun FC to a historic third-place finish in the Saudi Pro League during the 2015–2016 season, securing the club's first qualification for the AFC Champions League. In England he managed Reading FC where he helped them avoid relegation in the 2018–2019 Championship season.
His success with Zamalek includes last season's CAF Confederation Cup and the 2024 CAF Super Cup played in September where he and his charges defeated Al Ahly in a penalty kick shootout. Gomes was nominated for the CAF Manager of the Year award in October 2024.
Important Player: Ahmed Sayed "Zizo"
Photo Credit: Zamalek SC
In the ongoing CAF Confederation Cup, Zizo has already made an impact by playing 2 matches, scoring 1 goal and providing 1 assist. The playmaking attacking midfielder is a revered figure at Zamalek since joining in 2019. Zizo was the Egyptian Premier League top scorer during the 2021-22 season with 19 goals to lead Zamalek to the title.
A technical specialist who provides accurate service and shooting in the final third, Zizo is an excellent striker of the ball who takes set pieces for Zamalek and is also a member of the Egypt national team.
Author: Hossam Ahmed
Enyimba (NGA)
Background
Located in Nigeria's Abia State in the south of the country, Enyimba are named for an Igbo language term that means "People's Elephant". Enyimba are the most successful club in Nigerian football with nine top division titles and also great success in African competition, winning back-to-back CAF Champions League titles in 2003 and 2004. Prominent Nigerian players made their name at the club including legendary Nigeria national team goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama and forward Kalu Uche.
Enyimba's recent accomplishments in CAF club competition have come in the Confederation Cup with a semifinal finish in 2018 followed by quarterfinal appearances in 2020 and 2021. If the club can find a way to earn points away from its fortress in Aba then Enyimba certainly has a good chance of reaching the knockout stages again.
How did they qualify?
Enyimba finished third at the conclusion of the 2023-24 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), qualifying them for this year's Confederation Cup.
Qualifying stages
First Round: Bye
Second Round: Defeated Étoile Filante (BFA) 3-2 in a penalty shootout following a 0-0 aggregate draw
Coach: Yemi Daniel Olanrewaju
Photo Credit: Enyimba FC
The 32-year-old has a big opportunity to make a name for himself by finding success in the Confederation Cup. Popularly known as "Yema", Olanrewaju spent a couple years as an assistant to famous Nigerian player and coach Finidi George before taking over the manager position once George left to coach the Nigeria national team. Blessed with the recommendation of George and another famous former Nigeria national team star, Enyimba chairman Nwankwo Kanu, Yema has gone from coaching lower division Nigerian clubs to patrolling the sidelines at the CAF Confederation Cup in only five years.
Important Player: Pascal Eze
Photo Credit: Enyimba FC
The 24-year-old defender is the captain of Enyimba and the anchor in the heart of the Enyimba defensive unit. Eze grew his reputation with Owerri club Heartland before joining his current club with whom he surpassed 100 appearances in Nigeria's top division NPFL. Bringing high levels of intelligence and anticipation along with his muscular frame, Eze is the leader in one of the younger clubs competing in the Confederation Cup.
Author: Andrew Olsson
Al Masry (EGY)
Background
Based in the historic city of Port Said, Al Masry SC is one of Egypt's oldest football clubs as it was founded in 1920. The name "Masry" literally means Egyptian which reflects the strong national identity that distinguished the club in Port Said where many football clubs at the time were associated with foreign communities.
This season, Al Masry has qualified for the CAF Confederation Cup group stages, showcasing their excel on the continental stage. In a football scene dominated by Cairo's giant clubs Al Ahly, Zamalek and now Pyramids FC, Al Masry have won one title in Egyptian football with an Egypt Cup triumph in 1998. However the club have a history of success in the Confederation Cup with a semifinal finish at the 2018 edition and quarterfinal showings at the 2019-20 and 2021-22 editions.
How did they qualify?
Al Masry were in third place at the conclusion of the first half of the 2023-24 Egyptian Premier League when Egypt submitted their teams for CAF competition.
Qualifying stages
First Round: Bye
Second Round: Defeated Al-Hilal Benghazi (LBY) 5-3 in a penalty kick shootout following a 5-5 aggregate draw
Coach: Ali Maher
Photo Credit: Al-Masry SC
Appointed in July 2023, head coach Ali Maher has brought tactical acumen to Al Masry. Born on December 3, 1973, Maher previously served as an assistant coach at Al Ahly where he won the CAF Confederation Cup in 2014.
In the 2022–2023 season, Maher also led Future FC (now Modern Sport) to their first-ever Egyptian League Cup title, solidifying his reputation as a coach who can deliver results. Under his guidance, Al Masry achieved qualification for this season’s CAF Confederation Cup and continued to progress in the competition under his leadership.
Important Player: Mido Gaber
Photo Credit: Al-Masry SC
The 32-year-old winger has been a decent player for years during his time in Egyptian football but the veteran increased his level after joining Al-Masry for the 2023-24 season. Gaber recorded a career-high 8 goals along with 4 assists last season and was recognized as the best right winger in the Egyptian Premier League according to fan voting. The former Al Ahly player has a good finishing touch and can also set up his teammates in the final third.
Author: Hossam Ahmed
Black Bulls (MOZ)
Background
Associação Black Bulls or simply Black Bulls, are among the newest top-tier clubs in Mozambique born in 2017. They used to campaign in the lower league of the former Portuguese colony until they earned promotion to the top tier Moçambola league. The Maputo-based side uses 5,000-seater Estadio da Matola as the home ground.
It took just four years for Black Bulls to earn giants’ status in Mozambique football after winning the 2021 Mocambola league championship at the expense of usual winners such as UD Songo and Costa do Sol. Since that year, the Luis Junaide Lalgy-owned club has dominated the top-tier league in the former Portuguese colony. They won the Mozambican championship again in 2024 and made their debut in CAF club competition in the 2022-23 season, losing to Angola's Petro de Luanda in the qualifying stages of the CAF Champions League.
How did they qualify?
Black Bulls qualified by winning the 2024 edition of Mozambique's domestic cup, the Taça de Moçambique
Coach: Hélder Duarte
Photo Credit: Black Bulls
The Portuguese returned to the Maputo outfit in February this year and instantly led them to their second league championship which Ferroviário da Beira won last season. He first arrived at Black Bulls in 2018 before winning the league title three years later. He ended up returning home only to rejoin the Maputo giants this year. Duarte has managed teams such as FC Porto youth and Paredes back home, where he 42-year-old coach was born. Duarte served as goalkeeper coach back home for União Sport Clube de Paredes and Vitória Sport Clube (Vitória de Guimarães).
Important Player: Kadre Guèye
Photo Credit: MZ News
The Senegalese midfielder Guèye is probably the most influential player for the men in blue owing to his versatility which enables him to play in all boxes while combining offensive and defensive duties. Little wonder, the 28-year-old won the Moçambola best player accolade for the first round in September 2024 shrugging off competition from African national team players Elias Pelembe (Mozambique) and Yamikani Chester (Malawi) among others. After years of being a more defensive player, Guèye exploded for an eye-catching 14 goals in the recently concluded 2024 Moçambola campaign.
Author: Peter Kanjere
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