Oussama Ghacha of USM Alger celebrates goal during the CAF Confederation Cup 2025/26 match between USM Alger and FC San Pedro held at 5 July 1962 Stadium in Algiers , Algeria on 23 November 2025 ©Djaffar Ladjal/BackpagePix
Friday Feb 06, 2026. 15:00
The CAF Confederation Cup enters the business end of the group stage this weekend as the battle for knockout stage places heats up.
With only two match-days of the group stage remaining, group leaders will be looking to take one step closer or confirm the places in the next stage, while those trailing will look to close the gaps.
The weekend’s action begins on Saturday as Azam hosts Maniema Union at the Azam Complex Stadium in Dar es Salaam. Kick-off is at 6pm CAT.
On a two match winning streak in the competition, Azam will be looking to pull level with Maniema on the standings heading into the final match-day. The Tanzanian club is third in group B with six points while Maniema sits in second with nine points.
A win for Maniema Union would take it out of reach of Azam and confirm its place in the knockout stage. The club will look to replicate its performance from their meeting in November, winning 2-0 at home.
The action continues on Sunday, with three fixtures kicking-off at 3pm CAT. AS Otohô will be looking for revenge against Stellenbosch at the Stade Alphonse Massamba-Débat in Brazzaville, and Kaizer Chiefs are hunting an all important win over Al Masry at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane. Lastly, Zamalek will look to confirm its place in the knockout stage against Zesco United at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
Stellenbosch triumphed over the Congolese outfit in their first meeting, winning 1-0. Otohô sits in second place in group C, two points above Stellenbosch. The Maroons have lost their last two in a row and could overtake Otohô with a win.
In group D, Chiefs and Al Masry are level on points with seven, as well as on goal difference. A win for either side would be vital whilst a loss could be detrimental.
Zamalek would be guaranteed to finish at least second in the group with a win on Sunday against Zesco, who with zero points, are already eliminated from contention.
The second round of Sunday’s fixtures will begin at 6pm CAT. Wydad AC will look to confirm its place in the knockout stage against Nairobi United at the Moi International Sports Centre in Nairobi, as will CR Belouizdad at the Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar against Singida Black Stars. San-Pédro will look to keep its hopes alive against USM Alger at the Stade Laurent Pokou in San Pédro.
Wydad and CR Belouizdad both sit on nine points, in control of group B and C respectively. Wins would confirm their places in the next stage of the competition.
With zero points from four matches, Nairobi United’s race has been run. However, Singida Black Stars is level with Stellenbosch on four points in group C, two points behind second-placed Otohô. They will be looking to go ahead of or remain level with Stellenbosch heading into the final match-day.
With three points San-Pédro sits third in group A, six points behind OC Safi. The Ivorian team will need two victories from its last two games in order to stand a chance of advancing, provided the Moroccan club loses its last two games and falls behind on goal difference.
USM Alger, with 10 points, cannot be caught by third or fourth place in group A and has already punched its ticket to the knockout stage.
The weekend’s action will finish with the 9pm CAT clash between OC Safi and Djoliba AC at the Stade El Massira in Safi.
Djoliba has only managed one point so far, meaning its chances of advancing are none. A victory or draw for OC Safi would take it out of reach of San-Pédro and into the next round.
By Nic Gleeson
CAF Confederation Cup fixtures
Saturday
Azam v Maniema Union (6pm CAT at the Azam Complex Stadium in Dar es Salaam)
Sunday
AS Otohô v Stellenbosch (3pm CAT at the Stade Alphonse Massamba-Débat in Brazzaville)
Kaizer Chiefs v Al Masry (3pm CAT at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane)
Zesco United v Zamalek (3pm CAT at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola)
Nairobi United v Wydad (6pm CAT at the Moi International Sports Centre in Nairobi)
San-Pédro v USM Alger (6pm CAT at the Stade Laurent Pokou in San Pédro)
Singida Black Stars v CR Belouizdad (6pm CAT at the Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar)
OC Safi v Djoliba AC (9pm CAT at the Stade El Massira in Safi)