Ahead of the 2023/24 TotalEnergies Confederations Cup final qualifying round games, the Nigeria duo of Bendel Insurance and 2021 NPFL champions Rivers United are facing an uphill task for second-round progression as they look to cause an upset this weekend.
Back in Nigeria for the first leg of the encounter, two-time champions RS Berkane rallied from 2-0 down to earn a creditable 2-2 draw away to Nigeria’s Bendel Insurance and now the Moroccans have home advantage to advance which puts Monday Odigie’s side on the edge.
Meanwhile, Uganda’s Kampala Capital City, Egypt’s Future FC, and Nigeria’s Rivers United face uphill tasks to overturn first-leg deficits against Libyan, Tanzanian, and Burkinabe opponents.
Earlier this week, Bendel Insurance was dealt a hard blow after their striker Imade Osarenkhoe who played an instrumental role in the first leg of the encounter signed for United FC of the United Arab Emirates.
Imade, who scored 10 goals in all competitions last season, signed on a 4-year deal for United FC of the United Arab Emirates.
In other games, Egyptian giants Zamalek face a monumental task on Saturday to overturn a 2-0 first leg deficit after a shock defeat to Djibouti’s AS Arta Solar and Arta can make historic first group stage qualification with several stars now playing for the Djiboutian club.
South Africa’s Sekhukhune United, on their debut campaign, hold a 3-1 advantage over DR Congo’s Saint Eloi Lupopo from their opening encounter as they seek to progress.
Angola’s Sagrada Esperanca must rectify a 1-0 first-leg loss when they host Mozambique’s Ferroviaro de Maputo this week.
Gaborone United from Botswana have a lifeline after a late 1-1 away draw with South Africa’s Supersport United. The tie is finely poised ahead of the return leg.
DR Congo’s Diables Noirs are on the verge of back-to-back group stage qualification after a 2-1 first-leg victory away to Zambia’s MUZA FC.
Defending champions USM Alger of Algeria face Moroccan club FUS Rabat over two legs for a spot in the group stage of Africa’s secondary club competition.
Ethiopia’s Bahir Dar Kenema holds a 2-0 aggregate lead over Tunisia’s Club Africain ahead of their daunting trip to North Africa for the second leg.
