The return fixture is scheduled for Sunday, September 13, at the Stade Taieb Mhiri in Sfax, with the Tunisian side set to play without the support of their home fans.

Sfaxien’s closed-door sanction stems from a previous disciplinary decision by the Confederation of African Football following incidents involving their supporters during the club’s 2024/25 CAF Confederation Cup campaign.

CAF had sanctioned the Tunisian club over crowd misconduct, including the use of pyrotechnic devices. Reports in Tunisia indicate that Sfaxien were handed a two-match stadium ban, with one of the matches initially suspended. Further incidents during their continental campaign reportedly led to the activation of the remaining sanction.

The development could hand Shooting Stars an added advantage as the Oluyole Warriors prepare for the decisive return leg in Tunisia.

The Ibadan-based club already hold a 1-0 advantage from the first leg after defeating the three-time CAF Confederation Cup winners in Abeokuta.

Lucky Emmanuel scored the decisive goal as Shooting Stars marked their return to continental football after 27 years with a memorable victory.

Shooting Stars will now head to Tunisia knowing that a positive result will send them through to the next stage of the competition.

However, Sfaxien remain one of the most experienced sides in African club football and will be determined to overturn the deficit on home soil.

The absence of supporters could nevertheless change the atmosphere around the second leg, with the Tunisian giants unable to rely on the backing of their fans as they attempt to overturn the one-goal deficit.

For Shooting Stars, the task is clear: protect their advantage and complete the job in Tunisia.

There have also been suggestions that CAF could review or alter the implementation of the sanction. However, unless an official decision is communicated by CAF, the second leg is expected to proceed behind closed doors.

The winner of the two-legged tie will advance to the next round of the 2026/27 CAF Confederation Cup.

The post Sfaxien to host Shooting Stars behind closed doors in CAF Confederation Cup second leg appeared first on Made In Africa Sport.

The group stage saw title holders, USM Alger, top group A, while Zamalek, Dreams, and RS Berkane topped groups B, C, and D respectively.

With Egypt being the only country with two teams in the second round after Modern Future finished as runners-up in group A, they were joined by Libya’s Abu Salim from group B, Nigeria’s Rivers United from group C, and Mali’s Stade Malien from group D.

In the Champions League, Mamelodi Sundowns, ASEC Mimosas, Petro de Luanda, and Al Ahly were the group winners, and TP Mazembe, Simba, Espérance de Tunis, and Young Africans joined as runners-up.

Both competitions deployed the same procedure, as the four group winners were seeded for the quarter-finals while the four group runners-up were unseeded. The seeded teams were drawn against the unseeded teams, with the seeded teams hosting the second leg.

Teams from the same group were not drawn against each other, while teams from the same country were drawn against each other.

The Confederation Cup Quarter-Finals draw took place first and saw exciting match-ups for the quarter-finals of the continent’s secondary club competition. Holders, USM Alger, will travel to Nigeria to face Rivers United.

Abu Salim will stand in the way of RS Berkane in their quest to win a record-equalling three titles, as Modern Future trade tackles with Zamalek in an all-Egyptian affair, and the quartet is completed with Ghana’s Dreams facing Stade Malien.

8 teams, 8 different routes, 1 final destination in sight. #TotalEnergiesCAFCC pic.twitter.com/3CzA2NYgag

— TotalEnergies CAFCL & CAFCC (@CAFCLCC) March 12, 2024

The road to the final of the 60th edition of Africa’s premier club football tournament is as challenging as one could ever imagine.

Tunisian champions, Espérance de Tunis, will welcome Ivorian champion, ASEC Mimosas, with the winner facing the Tanzanian champion, Young Africans, or the South African champion, Mamelodi Sundowns.

In the other path of the draw, five-time winner TP Mazembe will face Angola Girabola champions, Petro de Luanda, and the match-up between 22-time Tanzania league winner, Simba, and Champions League title holder, Al Ahly.

The road to the precious #TotalEnergiesCAFCL title is all drawn. pic.twitter.com/Kb9zBMfkCj

— TotalEnergies CAFCL & CAFCC (@CAFCLCC) March 12, 2024

The knockout will kick off with games in the Champions League on 29–30 March 2024 for the first leg, and the second leg comes a week later from 5–6 April 2024, while the Confederation Cup comes up a day later for both legs on 31 March 2024 and 7 April 2024.

The semi-final is scheduled for 19–20 April 2024 and 26–27 April 2024 for the Champions League, and 21 April 2024 and 28 April 2024 for the Confederation Cup.

The African club competitions end with double-legged finals, starting with the Confederations Cup on 10 May 2024 and 17 May 2024, and the Champions League on 19 May 2024 and 26 May 2024.

The post USM Alger resumes title defence against Rivers United in CAF Confederation Cup as Tanzania heavyweights handed tricky Champions League opponents appeared first on Made In Africa Sport.

The Confédération Africaine de Football (“CAF”) and IMG, a global sports, events and representation company, today announced that IMG has won the exclusive rights to distribute the international media rights for CAF’s events in 85+ countries from 2023-2025.

This excludes territories in the MENA region, selected areas and Sub Saharan Africa.

The deal will see IMG manage the broadcast deals for the next two editions of the prestigious Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) – the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Côte d’Ivoire 2023 and the CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 – as well as the tournament’s qualifiers. 

Additionally, IMG will distribute the media rights for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Women Cup of Nations 2024, the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship, the men and women’s CAF Champions League, TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup 2023/24, CAF Africa Beach Soccer Cup of Nations 2024, and the Futsal Africa Cup of Nations 2024, among others.

Robyn Cox, VP & Managing Director, Africa, for IMG’s media business, added: “The TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations is the biggest event on the African Continent and one of football’s most watched competitions. We’re looking forward to expanding our partnership with CAF to help unlock greater value from its media rights, grow the competition’s global audiences and enhance fans viewing experience.”

The deal strengthens IMG’s partnership with CAF, having recently been appointed as the federation’s global sponsorship agency through 2025, securing a deal with Puma to supply the official match ball for CAF-organized tournaments. IMG also provides marketing intelligence, data analysis and consultancy services to support CAF in the development of their new commercial sponsorship strategy.  

Media contacts:

CAF: Communication Department | communications@cafonline.com

IMG: Jo Robertson | +44 7392 088227 | Joanna.robertson@img.com 

Source Link

The post IMG wins CAF media rights for the ‘rest of the World’ territories excluding Sub-Sahara Africa and MENA appeared first on Made In Africa Sport.

CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup

CAF Champions League Matchday One Results: 

Pyramids 1-0 TP Mazembe
CR Belouizdad 3-0 Young Africans
Simba AC 1-1 Asec Mimmosas
Atletico Petroleos 1-0 Al-Hilal
ES Tunis 2-0 ES Sahel
Al Ahly 3-0 Medeama
Wydad AC 0-1 Jwaneng Galaxy
… pic.twitter.com/uNQbXw0WBL

— Made In Africa Sport (@madeinafricaweb) November 26, 2023

CAF CONFEDERATIONS CUP!

Matchday one results:

Club Africain 2-0 Dream
Modern Future 1-0 Super Sport
Diables Noirs 1-3 Stade Malien
Rivers United 3-0 Académica
Sagrada Esperança 2-0 Académie SOAR
Zamalek 1-0 Abu Salem
RS Berkane 2-0 Sekhukhune… pic.twitter.com/UdEF66Weem

— Made In Africa Sport (@madeinafricaweb) November 26, 2023

Former Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune issued an apology after showing up for training under the influence on Saturday. The captain of Kaizer Chiefs now faces potential suspension or demotion from the South African giants.

The 2023 Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League concluded yesterday, with Ngezi Platinum Stars, the champions, receiving their medals despite a narrow 1-0 defeat against Highlanders FC at Barbourfields Stadium in their final match of the season.

Walter Musona, a midfielder for Zimbabwe Warriors and FC Platinum, who recently scored a remarkable free kick against Nigeria, has attracted interest from several South African Premiership clubs, including the likes of Kaizer Chiefs.

2023/24 South Africa DStv Premiership

Ingathi khona into ezayo

This weekend we get to do it all again in the DStv Premiership

Football is back! pic.twitter.com/6nicU9ZgxR

— SuperSport Football (@SSFootball) November 21, 2023

Results:

– Moroka Swallows 0-1 Kaizer Chiefs
– TS Galaxy 3-0 Polokwane City
– Golden Arrows 0-1 Cape Town City
– Richards Bay 0-0 Orlando Pirates
– Amazulu 0-1 Stellenbosch

2023 Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League

Results:

– Cranborne Bullets 0-3 ZPC Kariba
– Yadah 2-1 Dynamos
– Simba Bhora 0-1 Black Rhinos
– Sheasham 1-2 FC Platinum
– Green Fuel 2-1 Triangle United
– Bulawayo Chiefs 2-2 Manica Diamonds
– Highlanders 1-0 Ngezi Platinum Stars
– Chicken Inn 0-0 Hwange
– CAPS United 3-1 Herentals

The post COSAFA Review: Southern Africa trio starts Champions League with victories appeared first on Made In Africa Sport.

Bendel Insurance, who had managed a slender one-goal lead in the first encounter on their home turf in Benin City, faced a resilient ASO Chlef side determined to turn the tide.

The second leg witnessed a reversal of fortunes as ASO Chlef managed to clinch a victory by the same scoreline, setting the stage for a showdown that would test both teams’ mettle.

As the clock ticked away, neither team could find the back of the net during the initial 30 minutes of play, setting the tone for a gripping battle. In the 31st minute, Bendel Insurance’s goalkeeper rose to the occasion, making a crucial save that kept their hopes alive.

However, it was ASO Chlef who managed to break the deadlock in the 42nd minute, giving the home side a tantalizing 1-0 advantage as the first half drew to a close.

Throughout the game, ASO Chlef pressed forward, seeking to widen the gap, but Bendel Insurance’s resolute defence, led by Benjamin Tanimu and Sunday Anyanwu, thwarted their attempts.

As the tension escalated, neither team could clinch victory during regulation time, leading to a dramatic penalty shootout. Bendel Insurance’s goalkeeper, Amas Obasogie, emerged as the unsung hero of the match. With remarkable saves that defied the odds, he stood as the last line of defence, preventing ASO Chlef from sealing their fate.

Amidst the Algerian cheers and heart-stopping moments, it was Bendel Insurance that emerged triumphant in the penalty shoot-out.

The 4-3 shoot-out win sets them up against Moroccan powerhouse Berkane in the upcoming round, as they aim to secure a spot in the group stage.

The post CAF Confederation Cup: Bendel Insurance Triumphs in Dramatic Penalty Shoot-Out to Secure Next Round Spot appeared first on Made In Africa Sport.

Arta Solar secured a comfortable 0-3 win through Gabriel Dadzie’s brace in the 1st and 20th minute and Idriss Bilha in the 22nd minute at the Chamazi Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

The win came after securing a 3-0 first-leg advantage courtesy of a brace from Alain Traoré in the 41st and 64th minute and a 4th-minute goal from Yacouba at the same stadium.

It became a watershed moment, as this marks the first instance of a Djiboutian club surging beyond the opening stage of continental club competitions.

Akinbinu Samuel, the Lagos-born representing Djibouti internationally, has been instrumental in steering Arta to this astonishing feat.

Samuel’s prowess both on and off the pitch has propelled his team to a triumphant two-legged victory over the Somalian club, even though he didn’t get his name on the scoresheet.

The former Rivers and Bayelsa United forward will now look to count on his luck on stage as they advance to the second round.

Amidst the echoes of history being made, Arta Solar 7 is now slated to lock horns with one of the continent’s most storied clubs, Zamalek SC in September.

The Egyptian giant is one of the 12 teams that received byes to the second round of the 2023/2024 CAF Confederation Cup and will visit Djibouti for the first leg of the encounter while playing host for the second leg in Cairo.

The post Nigerian-Born Akinbinu Samuel records unprecedented victory with AS Arta in CAF Confederation Cup appeared first on Made In Africa Sport.

The first leg encounter in Benin City saw Monday Odigie’s side clinching a narrow 1-0 lead, setting the stage for a tense and pivotal rematch on foreign soil.

The departure was marked with a touch of significance as Edo State Governor, His Excellency Governor Godwin Obaseki, took time from his busy schedule to bid the team farewell. His presence not only bestowed a boost of confidence upon the athletes but also served as a reminder of the collective pride and anticipation that their endeavours generate among their home supporters.

Addressing the players before their departure, Governor Obaseki articulated his expectations with a fervour that mirrored the intensity of the upcoming battle. He urged the team to channel their inner warriors, vying for nothing less than a resounding victory in Algeria. The governor’s vision extended beyond the football pitch, as he underscored the potential impact of their success on both the sporting landscape of Edo State and the wider pride of the Nigerian nation.

The journey that commenced in Benin City carries with it not only the weight of a crucial sporting encounter but also the aspirations of a team and its passionate fan base. As Bendel Insurance soars towards their next challenge, all eyes remain locked on the unfolding narrative of triumph and endeavour, where the echoes of their efforts reverberate far beyond the borders of the football field.

The post Bendel Insurance Sets Sail from Benin: Battle-Ready for Crucial CAF Confederation Cup Clash appeared first on Made In Africa Sport.