Azam FC and Real Bamako advance to TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup Group Stage after decisive return legs
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Tanzania’s Azam FC and Mali’s AS Real Bamako secured places in the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup 2026/27 Group Stage on Saturday after overcoming Egypt’s ZED FC and Tunisia’s ES Zarzis respectively in their Second Preliminary Round return matches.
Azam claimed a narrow 1-0 home victory over ZED FC to advance 2-1 on aggregate, while Real Bamako survived a spirited comeback from ES Zarzis to draw 2-2 and qualify with a 5-3 aggregate triumph.
The results ensured that both clubs progressed to the 16-team Group Stage, ending the continental ambitions of their Egyptian and Tunisian opponents.
In Tanzania, Iddy Nado emerged as Azam’s hero, scoring the decisive goal in the 66th minute to settle a closely contested encounter.
The two clubs had shared a 1-1 draw in Egypt in the opening leg, leaving the return fixture finely balanced with qualification at stake.
After a goalless first half, Nado broke the deadlock midway through the second period, giving the Tanzanian club the advantage they needed to progress.
Azam protected their slender lead for the remainder of the contest to complete an important victory in front of their home supporters.
In Bamako, Real Bamako were made to work considerably harder despite arriving with a commanding 3-1 advantage from the first leg in Tunisia.
Bourama opened the scoring for the Malian side in the 45th minute, extending their aggregate advantage to three goals.
However, ES Zarzis produced an impressive second-half response, scoring twice in the 75th and 79th minutes to take a 2-1 lead on the night.
Real Bamako eventually secured a 2-2 draw with a stoppage-time equaliser in the 90th minute plus two, ending any remaining hopes of a Tunisian comeback.
The two clubs now turn their attention to the Group Stage, where they will compete among Africa’s final 16 contenders for the continental title.
