Sfaxien win at Rukinzo, Simba held by Al-Ahli in TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup
The first leg of the second preliminary round of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup came to a thrilling conclusion on Sunday, September 15, with key victories and intense encounters across the continent.
Sfaxien Gain First-Leg Edge Over Rukinzo
CS Sfaxien of Tunisia earned a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Burundian side Rukinzo, courtesy of a home performance at the Stade Taïeb Mhiri in Sfax.
The narrow win gives Sfaxien a vital advantage heading into the second leg, which will also be played at home, leaving the Tunisians well-placed to progress to the group stage.
Simba and Al-Ahli Play Out Goalless Draw
Libyan side Al-Ahli Tripoli held Tanzanian giants Simba SC to a 0-0 draw in a tight affair that leaves both teams with everything to play for in the return leg.
Neither side was able to find a breakthrough, with both defences holding firm, setting up a finely poised second leg in Tanzania.
Other Sunday Results
In Botswana, Orapa United suffered a 1-0 home defeat at the hands of Zimbabwe’s Dynamos, while Angolan club Onze Bravos secured a 1-0 victory over DR Congo’s Saint Eloi Lupopo.
Meanwhile, Togolese side AS Kara pulled off a 2-1 win over Ivorian powerhouse ASEC Mimosas, while in the match of the day, Libyan side Al-Hilal Benghazi emerged victorious in a 3-2 thriller against Egyptian club Al-Masry.
Second Leg Set for September 20-22
The second leg matches of the second preliminary round will take place between September 20 and 22, with teams vying for a place in the prestigious group stage of the 2023-2024 CAF Confederation Cup.
CAF Confederation Cup Preliminary Round – Results
Friday, September 13
- Nsouatreman 0-2 CS Constantine
- AS Vita Club 0-2 Stellenbosch FC
- Racing Abidjan 0-0 Guédiawaye FC
- Etoile Filante 0-0 Enyimba FC
Saturday, September 14
- Police FC 0-1 Zamalek
- Black Bulls 1-0 AS Otoho
- Luanda Sol 1-0 Sekhukhune United
- Dajie FC 0-2 RS Berkane
- BYC FC 1-0 Stade Malien
- Stade Tunisien 1-0 USM Alger
Sunday, September 15
- Orapa United 0-1 Dynamos
- CS Sfaxien 1-0 Rukinzo FC
- Onze Bravos 1-0 Saint Eloi Lupopo
- AS Kara 2-1 ASEC Mimosas
- Al-Ahli Tripoli 0-0 Simba SC
- Al-Hilal Benghazi 3-2 Al-Masry