CAF Confederation Cup: Berkane, Belouzidad and La Mancha on top

Saima Ghaffar March 06, 2014

The first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup Round of 32 delivered several strong performances, with Renaissance Berkane, CR Belouizdad, and La Mancha emerging as the biggest winners. Each of these clubs secured important victories that put them in a commanding position ahead of the decisive return matches. Meanwhile, Raja Casablanca faces a more complicated challenge after failing to secure a home win and will now need to finish the job away in Mauritania.

For Raja Casablanca, the evening ended with disappointment. Despite playing at home and enjoying strong support, the Moroccan giants could not capitalize on their chances and were held to a 1-1 draw by Nouadhibou of Mauritania. This result leaves Raja with no margin for error in the second leg, where they must either win or secure a high-scoring draw to advance. The stalemate was a setback for a club with ambitions of going deep into the competition, and the return fixture in Mauritania now carries significant pressure.

In contrast, Renaissance Berkane had a productive start to their campaign, earning a convincing 3-1 victory over Club Africain of Tunisia. Berkane showed attacking flair and efficiency throughout the match, with Mohamed Aziz, Fo Doh Laba, and Khamiss all finding the back of the net. Their performance gave them a healthy advantage, although Club Africain’s lone goal, scored by Saber Khalifa, keeps the Tunisian side in contention. The away goal could prove useful, but Berkane will still enter the second leg as clear favorites.

Algeria’s CR Belouizdad also impressed, delivering one of the most dominant performances of the round. Playing with confidence and tactical discipline, they defeated Zambia’s Nkana by a score of 3-0, leaving their opponents with a mountain to climb in the return match. Goals from Benkablia, Lamhene, and Draoui showcased the team’s efficiency and attacking organization. With such a commanding lead, Belouizdad will travel to Zambia with a strong chance of securing qualification.

Another standout performance came from La Mancha, who overcame Sudan’s Ahli Shendi with a comfortable 3-0 win. The Congolese side displayed superiority in all phases of the game, taking a decisive step toward the next round. Their attacking consistency and defensive solidity ensured a clean sheet and a solid advantage before the return leg.

Meanwhile, in Kinshasa, Daring Club Motema Pembe (DCMP) were left frustrated after being held to a 1-1 draw by Deportivo Niefang of Equatorial Guinea. DCMP had opened the scoring through Tshibamba, but the visitors responded through Sidibe, earning a valuable away goal. After eliminating Cameroon’s New Stars in the previous round, Deportivo Niefang are now dreaming of another upset. DCMP will need a strong performance in Malabo to overturn the situation and keep their Confederation Cup hopes alive.

Elsewhere, the matchup between Petro Atletico and SuperSport United ended in a 0-0 draw, leaving everything open for the second leg. Both teams showed caution, and the qualification will now be decided in South Africa.

Results