CAF Confederation Cup Preview: RS Berkane hosts Zamalek in final first leg clash

In Sunday’s TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup Final, the stage is set for a showdown as former champions RS Berkane and Zamalek SC collide in the first leg of the double-legged final, with revenge simmering in the air.

The Berkane Municipal Stadium will witness a rematch of the 2019 final, where Zamalek emerged victorious with a 5-3 win, securing their first and only TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup title.

Despite subsequent triumphs for the Moroccans, the sting of that defeat still lingers, fueling their quest for redemption as they aim for their third TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup gold medal against the Egyptians on May 12 and 19, 2024.

Established in 1938, RS Berkane, affectionately known as the Orange Boys, have been steadily making their mark on the continent. Following their first continental triumph in 2019, they have clinched the Moroccan Throne Cup thrice, with a notable victory in the 2022 TotalEnergies CAF Super Cup against rivals Wydad AC.

Led by coach Mouin Chaabani, a seasoned campaigner with previous CAF Inter-club competition success, RS Berkane faces a formidable Zamalek side hungry for continental glory. Zamalek, led by Mahmoud Abdelrazek Hassan Fadlala (Shikabala), presents a formidable challenge for Berkane, who will rely on seasoned campaigners like Burkinabe international Issoufou Dayo to hold their ground.

In what promises to be a thrilling encounter, the sole Moroccan club left in this year’s CAF Interclub competition aims to exact revenge and etch their name in history. The kick-off at the Berkane Municipal Stadium on Sunday is set for 19:00 GMT.