CAF Confederation Cup: Dreams face Zamalek, RS Berkane take on holders, USM Algiers
Dreams FC will face Zamalek in Sunday’s CAF Confederation Cup semi-final first leg.
The FA Cup champions progressed after securing a 3-2 aggregate win over Stade Malien.
Star striker John Antwi – in green – has produced five goals and two assists in the competition
Their opponents qualified after a 3-2 aggregate win over Egyptian counterparts, Modern Future.
Dreams coach Abdul Karim Zito told JoySports “It’s difficult but not impossible. Sometimes your attitude in the game will also help you,”
Dreams FC coach Abdul Karim Zito
Despite having no prior experience in the competition, Dreams exceeded expectations by topping group C with 12 points ahead of Rivers United, Academia Lobito and Club Africain.
The Still Believe lads also did not lose any of their quarter-final matches.
Abdul Aziz Issahas been one of the team’s best performers with five goals in the competition so far
It is that sort of form that fuels Zito’s faith.
“We’re playing this game with a good mentality. We know we’re underdogs but (we will prove that) when we face you, we can equally match you,” he concluded.
Zito’s men has the perfect rehearsal for the test when they dispatched Asante Kotoko 2-0 despite being without the talismanic pair of Abdul Aziz Issah and Agyenim Boateng Mensah.
They have only lost one of their last five matches; a 3-2 loss to Berekum Chelsea two weeks ago.
Their opponents, who were champions in 2019, have also lost just one of their last fjve matches, recording three wins and a draw in that time.
Zamalek beat Ahly 2-1 on Monday, thanks to a Brace of goals from Seifeddine Jaziri
Sunday’s contest will take place at the Cairo International Stadium at 16:00 hours GMT.
In the other semi-final tie, defending champions USM Algiers will host two-time champions RSB Berkane at 19:00 GMT on Sunday.
The Algerian side progressed to this stage after a 2-0 win at home to overturn a 1-0 deficit from the first leg.
R.S Berkane who won the 2019/20 and 2021/22 competitions, got to this stage after a 3-2 aggregate win over Libyan side, Abu Salim.
The reverse fixtures will be played on Sunday, April 28, 2024.