The 2025–26 TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup group stage kicked off this past weekend, bringing with it a whirlwind of excitement, late drama, and significant performances that set the tone for the tournament. The opening matches featured former champions asserting their dominance, newcomers striving to make their mark, and thrilling moments that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
Group A: Safi and USM Alger Advance with Narrow Victories
In Group A, Olympique de Safi** showcased their resilience with a hard-fought 1–0 victory away at Djoliba. The decisive strike came from Salaheddine Errahouli, who found the net in the 29th minute with a well-placed shot. Despite sustained pressure from the home side in the second half, Safi’s defense held firm, clinching an essential three points.
Meanwhile, in Algiers, USM Alger delivered a thrilling encounter against San Pedro, winning 3–2 in a match that kept spectators glued to their seats. The hosts raced into an early lead with goals from Houssem Ghacha, Adem Alilet, and Saadi Radouani. However, the Ivorians fought back with replies from Dramane Kamagate and Mouhammadou Karamoko, making it a nail-biting finish.
Group B: Wydad and Maniema Silence Their Rivals
In Group B, Wydad Casablanca, former champions, set the stage ablaze with an impressive 3–0 victory over debutants Nairobi United. The Moroccans displayed their attacking prowess, with goals from Ayoub Boucheta, Mohamed Bouchouari, and Mohamed Rayhi** marking a dominant performance that signaled their intent to reclaim the title.
AS Maniema Union matched Wydad’s early success, securing a comfortable 2–0 win against *zam FC in Kinshasa. **Christian Panzi** opened the scoring, and super-sub Chadoma Ozome** sealed the win with a late strike, ensuring a strong start for the Congolese side.
Group C: Belouizdad and Stellenbosch Build Early Momentum
CR Belouizdad dominated their opening match against Singida Black Stars, claiming a 2–0 victory at home. Goals from Belhocini and Benguit within the first half hour set the tone, with the hosts controlling play and showing their title aspirations early on.
On the other hand, South African side Stellenbosch pulled off a dramatic last-minute victory against AS Otoho, winning 1–0 thanks to Angelo Cupido, whose goal in stoppage time sent the home fans into raptures.
Group D: Al Masry Edges Chiefs in Thrilling Contest
A standout clash in Group D saw Al Masry narrowly defeat Kaizer Chiefs 2–1 in a match that exemplified the competitive spirit of the tournament. After Al Masry’s Bonheur Mugisha converted a penalty, Dillon Solomons equalized for the Chiefs. However, a late goal by Mohamed Hashem sealed the victory for Al Masry, much to the delight of the home crowd.
Meanwhile, Zamalek SC kicked off their campaign with a hard-earned 1-0 victory over Zesco United at the Cairo International Stadium. After a dominant first half, **Seifeddine Jaziri’s goal just before halftime proved to be enough, despite a spirited second-half fightback from Zesco.
With the first round wrapped up, teams will be eager to build on their initial performances as they prepare for Round 2. The combination of thrilling matchups and unexpected results sets the stage for an exciting continuation of the CAF Confederation Cup.
