Zesco, Leopards and USM Alger reach Confederation Cup groups after high-stakes second legs

Zesco United, Royal Leopards and USM Alger all sealed progression to the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup group stage on Saturday after negotiating high-pressure second-leg assignments in Botswana, Eswatini and Algeria.

Zesco held Jwaneng Galaxy 1–1 in Lobatse to complete a 5–4 aggregate win, Leopards edged DR Congo’s Maniema Union on penalties following a 1–1 draw and 2–2 aggregate, while USM Alger overturned a first-leg deficit with a commanding 3–0 victory over Académie de FAD in Algiers to go through 3–1 overall.

Zesco arrived in Botswana protecting a 4–3 advantage from an extraordinary first leg in Ndola and tightened their grip with a goal in first-half stoppage time.

The Zambian champions managed the early exchanges, absorbed Galaxy’s direct play and struck on 45+2 minutes, a clinical finish that quietened the home crowd and left the hosts needing two without reply.

Galaxy responded after the interval with greater urgency, pushing their full-backs higher and forcing Zesco to defend deeper around their box.

Half-chances came and went before the pressure finally told late on; with 89 minutes played, Galaxy levelled from close range to set up a frantic finale. 

The equaliser injected belief into the Botswana side, but George Lwandamina’s team showed composure in added time—slowing the tempo, winning fouls and clearing their lines—to see out the draw and complete a 5–4 aggregate success.

Over two legs Zesco’s blend of attacking punch and late-game pragmatism proved decisive, returning the Ndola club to the group phase.

In Eswatini, Royal Leopards produced one of the weekend’s most dramatic qualifications by eliminating Maniema Union on penalties.

The tie was finely poised after a 1–1 first leg in Kindu and looked to be slipping away when Maniema struck on 26 minutes to lead the second leg 1–0 and the tie 2–1 on aggregate.

Leopards struggled for rhythm against the Congolese press and relied on goalkeeper heroics to stay within touching distance as the hour mark passed.

With the clock deep into stoppage time, the hosts found the moment they craved. On 90+10 minutes Leopards forced the ball home to level on the day and across the tie, sending the stadium into raptures and the contest straight to penalties.

The shoot-out showcased the hosts’ nerve: Leopards converted four of their five attempts while Maniema missed twice, sealing a 4–3 shoot-out win after the 1–1 draw.

 The Eswatini side’s late equaliser and clean execution from the spot underlined their resilience and carried them into the group stage at the expense of seasoned opponents.

USM Alger, meanwhile, delivered a professional turnaround at home to Académie de FAD. Trailing 1–0 from the first leg in Côte d’Ivoire, the holders of the 2023 Confederation Cup made a fast start in Algiers, scoring after 14 minutes to wipe out the deficit and seize momentum.

The home side doubled their lead before the half-hour mark with another measured finish, giving them a 2–1 aggregate lead and the platform to control the tie thereafter.

Académie de FAD searched for a route back after the break but struggled to create clear openings against a compact USMA defence. The Algerians, roared on by their supporters, managed territory and transitions with familiar efficiency and added a third goal at 90+2 minutes to remove any doubt.

The 3–0 win on the night, 3–1 on aggregate, reflected USMA’s authority in the return fixture and secured their place among the continent’s last 16.

Across the three venues, Saturday’s second legs underlined the variety of routes to qualification in African club competition.

Zesco’s away discipline after a wild first leg, Royal Leopards’ last-gasp equaliser and penalty composure, and USM Alger’s controlled comeback each told different stories but carried the same reward: a ticket to the lucrative group stage.