Confederation Cup: Marumo Gallants and Young Africans in the last four

Tanzania's Young Africans held off against Rivers United to qualify for the semi-finals of an African competition for the first time in their history on 30 April 2023. © Courtesy of CAF

Text by: Valentin Berg Follow

3 min

The South Africans of Marumo Gallants validated their place in the semifinals against Pyramids (1-0) for their first participation in the competition. The Young Africans also reached the last four for the first time in their history after their draw against Rivers United (0-0).

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After a disappointing draw (0-0) in the quarter-final first leg on April 23, the suspense remained between ASEC Mimosas and US Monastir. The return match was necessarily more committed for both teams, who would seek to validate their place for the semi-finals without going through penalties. It is the players of ASEC Mimosas who dominated this time the debates against the Tunisians (2-0), this Sunday, April 30 in Abidjan. The Ivorians scored twice in extra time, first in the first half with the opening score of defender Franck Zouzou (45th + 1, 1-0), then in the last moments of the match thanks to Pacôme Zouzoua (90th + 1) who doubled the bet. ASEC Mimosas reached the last four of the competition (2-0 aggregate score) and is getting closer to a possible first title in the Confederation Cup, after a title already won in the CAF Champions League in 1998.

#Actionnaires, we are in the semi-finals. Well done to all. 💛🖤
Eyes and mind on Africa.#CAFCC #Mimos #JauneNoir #ASEC pic.twitter.com/QUa5BwVdMp

— ASEC Mimosas (@ASECMimosas) April 30, 2023

Everything was still to be done also between the South Africans of Marumo Gallants and the Egyptians of Pyramids, who had not managed to decide in the first leg (1-1). Despite several good chances from Pyramids, such as the attempts of Walid El Karti (25th), Fagrie Lakay (72nd) or Mohamed El-Gabbas in the last seconds (90th+6), the only goal of the match was scored by Celimpilo Ngema (39th, 1-0) just before the break. A goal that is enough for Marumo Gallants to get his place in the last four of the competition (2-1 aggregate score).

Historic qualification for the Young Africans

The Young Africans had already done what was necessary in the first leg against Nigeria's Rivers United thanks to the double of their Congolese striker Fiston Mayele, author of five goals in the competition this season. The return clash was not as prolific, as the two teams left on a blank score despite the attempts of Khalid Aucho (52nd) and Stephane Aziz Ki (65th). By preserving their result from the quarter-final first leg, the Young Africans qualified for the semi-finals of the competition for the first time in their history (2-0 aggregate score).

EQUALIFIED! ✅

🇹🇿 @yangasc1935 make it to their first ever #TotalEnergiesCAFCC semifinals! 👏 pic.twitter.com/NbKBcptDMW

— TotalEnergies CAFCL - TotalEnergies CAFCC 🏆 (@CAFCLCC) April 30, 2023

The last meeting of these quarter-finals was between FAR Rabat, already winners of the competition in 2005, and USM Algiers. Beaten 0-2 by the Algerians in the first leg, they were revived at the beginning of the return match by the goal against his side of Oussama Chita (8th, 1-0). Saâdi Redouani was quick to put the two teams back on level terms a few moments later (12th, 1-1), again widening the gap between the two opponents. Cape Verdean defender Diney gave hope to the Moroccans in the second half (60th, 2-1), before Khaled Bousseliou answered him (78th, 2-2). Mohamed Hrimat scored a 3rd goal on penalty kick in extra time for the Moroccans (90th + 7, 3-2), but not avoiding elimination for FAR Rabat despite a successful match. USM Alger wins the final ticket for the last four of the competition (4-3 aggregate score).

The results of the quarter-finals (home and away)

ASEC Mimosas (Ivory Coast) Q - US Monastir (Tunisia) : 2-0 aggregate score

Marumo Gallants (South Africa) Q - Pyramids (Egypt) : 2-1 aggregate score

Young Africans (Tanzania) Q - Rivers United (Nigeria) : 2-0 aggregate score

FAR Rabat (Morocco) - USM Algiers (Algeria) Q : 3-4 aggregate score

The semi-final schedule (first leg: 10 May; second leg: 17 May)

ASEC Mimosas (Ivory Coast) - USM Algiers (Algeria)

Young Africans (Tanzania) - Marumo Gallants (South Africa)

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