The group phase of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup enters the fourth match day this weekend and some teams are well on course to book slots in the quarter finals if they book favourable results.
In group A, Egypt’s Pyramids only need a point to earn a place in the last eight as they are currently perched on nine points with a 100pc record, having won all their opening three games.
The Egyptian side which reached the final of the 2019-20 season and the semis last term will be playing away to third placed CS Sfaxien who are on three points.
Sfaxien are keen to put their last eight hopes alive and having suffered a 1-0 defeat away, will be keen to make amends at home and earn their second win of the group.
In the other group fixture, second placed Al Ahli Tripoli of Libywa will be away to Zambia’s Zanaco. Tripoli are on six points and will need maximum points to keep their qualification hopes alive.
Zanaco on the other hand will have to win to remain in contention. A loss will put to rest their quarter final ambitions as they have lost all their games.
Group B leaders Al Ittihad stormed to pole after beating Royal Leopards of eSwatini last weekend, and can put one foot in the last eight if they can conjure maximum points against Algeria’s JS Saoura.
The Algerians have four points off three matches with a win, a draw and a loss and victory at home will put their campaign squarely on track.
In the other group fixture, Orlando Pirates who are placed second in the group with six points will be at home against Leopards of eSwatini.
The two sides’ last meeting ended in a 6-2 victory for Pirates in a match they had to fight from two goals down. Playing at their Johannesburg backyard, Pirates will be more than confident to earn maximum points.
A loss for Leopards who have suffered defeat in all their three matches will effectively end their dream for the last eight.
Fixtures
16h00 GMT: Orlando Pirates – Royal Leopards (Orlando Stadium, Johannesburg)
19h00 GMT: JS Saoura – Al Ittihad (Stade du 5 juillet 1962, Alger)
In Group C, leaders TP Mazembe will be on the away train, facing Cotonsport in Garoua. Mazembe were victorious when the two sides met in the first round, winning 1-0 in Lubumbashi.
A win for the African giants will take them to nine points and a good footing into the last eight. The Cameroonian side on their end have to win to keep alive as they have only collected two points in three matches so far.
Meanwhile in Alexandria, Al Masry will be at home against AS Otoho d’Oyo of Congo Brazzaville. This will be a crucial tie for both teams who are tied on four points. Otoho are however placed second having beaten Masry by a solitary goal in their first round meeting a fortnight ago.
Fixtures:
13h00 GMT: Coton Sport – TP Mazembe (Stade Roumde Adjia, Garoua)
16h00 GMT: Al Masry – AS Otoho (Borg El Arab Stadium, Alexandria)
Group D will offer a top of the table clash when Tanzania’s Simba hosts Algeria’s RS Berkane at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
Berkane enjoyed a 2-0 victory when the two sides clashed in the first leg in Morocco. But Simba are out to maximize on their home ground advantage and get back to the top of the group. The Moroccans are on six points while Simba are on four.
In the other group fixture, Asec Mimosas play Union Sportive Gendarmerie Nationale (USGN) in Cotonou, each of the two sides keen to earn victory in a relatively tight group.
USGN who beat Asec 2-0 in Abidjan a fortnight ago are on four points at third place in the group and hope to pick another win, to sustain their last eight hopes.
The Ivorians sit bottom of the group with three points.
Fixtures:
13h00 GMT: Simba – RS Berkane (National Stadium, Dar Es Salaam)
16h00 GMT: ASEC Mimosas – USGN (Stade de l’Amitié, Cotonou)
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