The final round of the CAF Confederation Cup group stage ends on Sunday with a lot still on offer.
Though most spots for the knockout phase have been decided, the battle for first place is what will make headlines. There are also some interesting spots for second place and Afrosport brings you four exciting fixtures to look forward to.
ASEC Mimosas vs Rivers United
Date: Sunday, April 2
Time: 5 PM WAT
This match will be of interest to Nigerian football fans as the Pride of Rivers are the only representative of the country in either the Confederation Cup or Champions League.
The Port Harcourt outfit have already booked their place in the quarter-finals alongside ASEC hence the battle for top spot is what will be at stake when both sides meet at Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan on Sunday.
Both sides are tied on 10 points in Group B but Stanley Eguma’s men lead on head-to-head after a 3-0 victory in Port Harcourt on February 19. Rivers, therefore, need only a draw in the Ivorian commercial capital to guarantee first place.
This Sunday in Yamoussoukro, Cote D'Ivoire#TotalEnergiesCAFCC || #Apri2 || #5pm pic.twitter.com/EjY90W3uot
— Rivers United FC (@RiversUnitedFC) March 31, 2023
Marumo Gallants vs St. Eloi Lupopo
Date: Sunday, April 2
Time: 9 PM WAT
Marumo are one of the surprise packages in this season’s Confederation Cup.
The South African side have defied expectations in their continental debut to currently top Group A after recording three wins from their five games, which has guaranteed their place in the last eight.
Finishing first is a tempting proposition for Gallants, but they need to ensure they triumph over the Railmen who have five points. The Congolese side however have no chance of progressing as they lost 4-1 on aggregate to USM Alger, who also have five points.
USM Alger vs Al Akhdar
Date: Sunday, April 2
Time: 9 PM WAT
The other battle for second place in Group A is between USM and Al Akhdar. Both teams played out a 1-1 draw in Benghazi, and with the Libyans also having five points, things could potentially go down to the wire in the Algerian capital of Algiers on Sunday.
Future FC VS Pyramids FC
Date: Sunday, April 2
Time: 9 PM WAT
The all-Egyptian affair is the biggest game of this final round of group stage fixtures and looks certain to be an explosive encounter.
Indeed, it will be a cracker in Cairo as both teams are tied on eight points behind Group C leaders FAR Rabat of Morocco who will face already-eliminated ASKO Kara of Togo.
Future and Pyramids played out a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture which makes the duo’s quest to make it through to the quarter-finals more intense.
Catch the final round of the CAF Champions League group stage LIVE on AFROSPORT TV across Nigeria, channel 730 on Free TV and stream online via Vidivu TV.
