Mohamed Bouchouari of Wydad Ac celebrates goal with teammates during the CAF Confederation Cup 2025/26 match between Wydad and Nairobi United at Larb Zouli Stadium in Casablanca, Morocco on 23 November 2025 ©Nour Aknajja/BackpagePix
Friday Jan 23, 2026. 15:00
The CAF Confederation Cup returns this weekend following the AFCON break, with eight fixtures taking place across the continent.
The first of the weekend’s fixtures will be held on Saturday at 9pm CAT as USM Alger is set to host Djoliba of Mali at the 5 July 1962 Stadium in Algiers, Algeria.
The Algerian club is looking to tighten its control over group A, currently sitting in first place with a perfect start to the campaign and six points. Djoliba sits at the bottom of group A with two losses and zero points thus far.
The Malian side will be looking to convert its domestic form into continental success in the first meeting between the two teams, as Djoliba has won its last five Malian Première Division fixtures.
Sunday provides an action packed slate with seven fixtures taking place. Two matches will kick-off at 3pm CAT, with two following those at 6pm CAT and the final three games of the weekend commencing at 9pm CAT.
At 3pm CAT, ZESCO United and Kaizer Chiefs will battle at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola, Zambia, while Nairobi United will face Azam at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi, Kenya.
Chiefs and Zesco are in the bottom half of group D. AmaKhosi have one point from two games, having lost one and drawn one, while ZESCO has lost both of its fixtures and is yet to get on the board.
Azam and Nairobi are yet to register a point, having each lost their opening two games of the continental campaign.
In the 6pm kick-off, San-Pédro and OC Safi will face-off at the Stade Laurent Pokou in San Pédro, Ivory Coast, and Singida Black Stars will host AS Otohô d’Oyo at the Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar, Tanzania.
The Ivorian and Moroccan clubs are both on three points, each having registered one win and one loss in the competition. San-Pédro enjoys a one goal advantage on goal difference, but OC Safi will be looking to overtake the Ivorians.
AS Otohô will be looking to remain within striking distance or overtake Stellenbosch at the top of group C. They sit one point behind the group leaders and will be looking to stay in the win column against Singida Black Stars, who are on one point with one loss and one draw.
Sunday’s fixtures will conclude with momentous clashes. Egyptian rivals Zamalek and Al Masry face-off at the Borg El Arab Stadium in Amreya, CR Belouizdad will face Stellenbosch at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha, South Africa, and Maniema Union will tackle Wydad AC at the Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca, Morocco.
Zamnalek holds a historical advantage over Al Masry, with 19 wins to AL Masry’s eight and five games drawn. The two sides have met once before in the Confederation Cup, with Zamalek emerging as the victor. Al Masry sits atop group D with six points while Zamalek trails behind on four.
Stellenbosch has a fragile grip on top spot in group C, sitting one point ahead of CR Belouizdad. Last year’s semi-finalists will be looking to make a statement on home soil and keep the chasing Belouizdad at bay.
Wydad will be looking to continue its incredible run that has seen the Moroccan team go unbeaten in all competitive encounters this season, last losing to Turkish side Kocaelispor in a friendly in August. The club is level with Maniema in group B and both teams will be looking to continue their perfect run in the competition.
By Nic Gleeson
CAF Confederations Cup fixtures
Saturday
USM Alger v Djoliba
Sunday
ZESCO United v Kaizer Chiefs
Nairobi United v Azam
San-Pédro v OC Safi
Singida Black Stars v AS Otohô d’Oyo
Zamalek v Al Masry
CR Belouizdad v Stellenbosch
Wydad AC v Maniema Union