After suffering heartaches in the hands of North African teams recently, Nigerian champions Rivers United and Plateau United have been drawn against same regional opponents in the playoff round of 2022/2023 TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup.
The draw which took place today 18 October in Cairo, Egypt brought together Rivers and El Nasr of Libya while Plateau will confront another Libyan opposition in Al Akhder.
Just like in the Champions League, the Nigerian clubs will host the first legs of their encounters with the Libyan opposition.
Plateau dropped down to the continent’s 2nd tier club competition from the CAF Champions League where they were eliminated by Esperance of Tunisia on away goals rule after a 2-2 aggregate scoreline.
That of Rivers United was scandalous as they slumped to a 0-6 loss to Wydad Athletic of Morocco in the second leg to exit the League on an 8-2 aggregate result
Elsewhere in the potentially high-flying round of the confederation cup will see a Moroccan-Tunisian clash between defending champions RS Berkane and US Monastir while TP Mazembe who have been relegated to the competition , will face Royal AM FC of South Africa.
The other South African club, Marumo Gallants, will lock horns with Al Ahli Tripoli of Libya.
One thing is certain, an Ivorian team will be in the group stage as the draw also features an Ivorian derby between ASEC Mimosas and SC Gagnoa.
The task will be a daunting one for Togo’s ASKO who will meet three-time winners CS Sfaxien of Tunisia.
Another interesting match-up is between Young Africans of Tanzania and Club Africain of Tunisia.
There could well be a Congolese duel in this round with FC St Eloi Lupopo facing the winner of the AS Vita Club/RC Kadiogo.
It is worth noting the clash between Primeiro de Agosto of Angola and AS Real Bamako of Mali, and the one featuring Cape Town City and USM Alger.
The first leg will be played on 2 November, while the second leg is scheduled for 9 November.
At stake are 16 places in the group stage of the 2022-2023 TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup.
Full Fixtures:
AS Vita Club / RC Kadiogo vs FC St Eloi Lupopo (DR Congo)
Royal Leopards (Eswatini) vs AS Real Bamako (Mali)
TP Mazembe (DR Congo) vs Royal AM FC (South Africa)
Primeiro de Agosto (Angola) vs Future FC (Egypt)
ASEC Mimosas (Ivory Coast) vs SC Gagnoa (Ivory Coast)
Djoliba AC (Mali) vs AS FAR (Morocco)
Al Ahli Tripoli (Libya) vs Marumo Gallants (South Africa)
ASKO de Kara (Togo) vs CS Sfaxien (Tunisia)
Young Africans (Tanzania) vs Club Africain (Tunisia)
Flambeau du Centre (Burundi) vs DC Motema Pembe (DR Congo)
Rivers United (Nigeria) vs El Nasr (Libya)
US Monastir (Tunisia) vs RS Berkane (Morocco)
Cape Town City (South Africa) vs USM Alger (Algeria)
AS Nigelec (Niger) vs Pyramids FC (Egypt)
La Passe FC (Seychelles) vs Diables Noirs (Congo)
Plateau United (Nigeria) vs Al Akhder (Libya)
