Confederation Cup: Horoya in the last four, RS Berkane too

Text by: Nicolas Bamba Follow

The quarter-finals return of the 2019-20 Confederation Cup was played on Sunday, March 8. Hassania Agadir quietly validated their qualification against Al Nasr (2-0). Pyramids was beaten by Zanaco (1-0) but still passes thanks to his clear first leg victory (3-0). The Horoya AC shone against Eniymba (2-0), while the Berkane Sports Renaissance scored the right goal against Al Masry (1-0).

Publicity

If the CAF Champions League semi-finals will bring together two countries - the Egyptians from Al Ahly against the Moroccans from Wydad and the Egyptians from Zamalek against the Moroccans from Raja - the semi-finals of the Confederation Cup will be slightly more varied. North Africa will still be well represented with two Moroccan clubs again, Hassania Agadir and Renaissance Sportive de Berkane, but only one Egyptian club this time, Pyramids FC. West Africa will also participate with the qualification of Guineans from Horoya AC.

The Horoya AC hands down

At the September 28 stadium in Conakry, Horoya AC provided the show against Eniymba. As a symbol, Bolaji Sakin, the only Nigerian champion in Guinea, opened the scoring with style. At the corner of the surface, the attacker took the time to control before rolling a superb strike that hit the target (27th). Largely domineering, the Guineans insisted and ended up scoring again thanks to a header from Boubacar Samassekou, mounted on a corner (84th). The Eniymba Nigerians had no opportunity. Horoya's victory (2-0) is not disputed.

The RS Berkane strong head

After their goalless draw in Egypt (2-2), RS Berkane players had a small advantage. They confirmed it at home by signing a victory on the lowest score (1-0). The goal of the qualification was scored by Larbi Naji (37th) with a lobed head following a corner. Al Masry had an opportunity to draw a draw, but Saïdou Simpore found the post in extra time. Visitors, who did not frame a single strike, are eliminated.

Pyramids, an inconsequential defeat

Pyramids FC's 3-0 first leg victory offered the club some peace of mind for the return leg. At the end of the first balanced period at the June 30 stadium in Cairo, Zanaco scored the goal of hope thanks to Rodgers Kola, well placed to score in the cage deserted by the goalkeeper, dribbled a few moments earlier by Romaric Pitroipa (45 + 1e). But the Zambians could not do anything more. Pyramids FC locked the rest of the game, knowing that this short defeat (1-0) would not deprive him of the semi-finals.

Hassania Agadir quiet

The Lybians of Al Nasr had very little hope for this return match on the field of Hassania Agadir. The Moroccans' away victory in the first leg (5-0) had already almost wiped out any suspense. The little that remained disappeared in the second period. Karim El Berkaoui, author of a hat-trick in the first leg and top scorer in the competition, opened the scoring on the penalty spot (69th). At the end of the match, Redah Atassi spiked the bill by following well after a fine parade by the porter from Al Nasr (90 + 4th).

The semi-finals program:

FC-Horoya AC pyramids
RS Berkane-Hassania Agadir

First matches on May 3, return matches on May 10.

Newsletter With the Daily Newsletter, find the headlines directly in your mailbox

Download the app

• Sports
• Soccer
• Confederation Cup

On the same subject

CAF Champions League: Mazembe eliminated despite his victory over Raja

Champions League: a weakened Espérance Tunis eliminated in quarters