TP Mazembe will take a first step toward becoming African club giants again when they face South African side Royal AM in November. Image: @elton_newton / Twitter
MaMkhize’s Royal AM face daunting CAF Confederation Cup task
TP Mazembe will take a first step toward becoming African club giants again when they face South African side Royal AM in November.
TP Mazembe will take a first step toward becoming African club giants again when they face South African side Royal AM in November. Image: @elton_newton / Twitter
Former Club World Cup runners-up TP Mazembe will take a first step toward becoming African club giants again when they face South African side Royal AM in November.
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The teams, who have vastly different international experience, were paired when the CAF Confederation Cup playoffs draw was made in Cairo on Tuesday.
Based in the southern Congolese city of Lubumbashi, Mazembe have been competing in Africa since 1967, winning 11 titles, including the marquee CAF Champions League five times.
Royal AM were promoted to the South African top flight only last year and are making their first appearance in a continental competition.
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Without a CAF title since 2016, Mazembe started this season in the Champions League, but were relegated to the Confederation Cup after a shock loss to Ugandan side Vipers last weekend.
Fired their coach
The Congolese reacted by firing French coach Franck Dumas and putting former Mazembe star Pamphile Mihayo in charge for a third time.
Mihayo aims to win the Confederation Cup a third time after successes in 2016 and 2017 before Moroccan clubs became dominant, winning four finals and finishing runners-up in the other.
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Rookies Royal AM upset Zesco United of Zambia in the second Confederation Cup qualifying round after a routine victory over Mbabane Highlanders of Eswatini.
All three Royal AM goals in Africa came from veterans with Ruzaigh Gamildien, 33, scoring twice and Mozambican Elias ‘Domingues’ Pelembe, 38, once.
To score against Mazembe, who lost to Inter Milan in the 2010 Club World Cup final, they must pierce a defence likely to include DR Congo international Issama Mpeko, 33.
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The other South African hopefuls were paired with north African clubs – Marumo Gallants meet Al Ahly Tripoli of Libya while Cape Town City face USM Alger of Algeria.
Nigerian contenders Rivers United and Plateau United, both Champions League losers in the final qualifying round, drew Libyan opponents.
Rivers play Al Nasr and Plateau come up against Al Akhdar in the first legs on November 2, with the return matches seven days later.
Title-holders Renaissance Berkane of Morocco continue a quest for a record-equalling third Confederation Cup title against US Monastir of Tunisia.
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CAF Confederations Cup draw
Rail Kadiogo (BUR) or V Club (COD) v St Eloi Lupopo (COD)
Royal Leopard (ESW) v Real Bamako (MLI)
TP Mazembe (COD) v Royal AM (RSA)
Primeiro Agosto (ANG) v Future (EGY)
ASEC Mimosas (CIV) v SC Gagnoa (CIV)
Djoliba (MLI) v FAR Rabat (MAR)
Al Ahly Tripoli (LBA) v Marumo Gallants (RSA)
ASKO Kara (TOG) v CS Sfaxien (TUN)
Young Africans (TAN) v Club Africain (TUN)
Flambeau Centre (BDI) v DC Motema Pembe (COD)
Rivers United (NGR) v Al Nasr (LBA)
US Monastir (TUN) v Renaissance Berkane (MAR, holders)
Cape Town City (RSA) v USM Alger (ALG)
Nigelec (NIG) v Pyramids (EGY)
La Passe (SEY) v Diables Noirs (CGO)
Plateau United (NGR) v Al Akhdar (LBA)
First legs: November 2, second legs: November 9
Note: The 16 winners qualify for group stage from February 12
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