The opening matches of the CAF Confederation Cup group stages brought a blend of excitement and drama, with Algeria’s CS Constantine securing a crucial away victory against Tunisia’s CS Sfaxien on Wednesday, alongside other notable results.Group A: Constantine Stuns CS SfaxienIn Tunisia, CS Constantine snatched a late 1-0 victory over CS Sfaxien, with Brahim Dib scoring the decisive goal in the 81st minute. Dib latched onto a precise through ball from Mohamed Benchaira to slot home, silencing the home fans at the Stade Olympique Hammadi-Agrebi.##NAJAVA_MECA_8528304##Despite dominating possession, Sfaxien failed to capitalize on their chances, including a missed header by Hazem Haj Hassen in the final minutes.Earlier, Tanzania’s Simba SC secured a 1-0 win against Angola’s Bravos do Maquis in Dar es Salaam. Jean Ahoua converted a 27th-minute penalty to give the Tanzanian side all three points.Group B: Stade Malien Defeats StellenboschIn Bamako, Stade Malien began their campaign with a convincing 2-0 win over South African debutants Stellenbosch FC. Haman Mandjan opened the scoring with a powerful strike in the 15th minute, and Daouda Coulibaly sealed the result with a late penalty. Stellenbosch struggled to contain the Malian attack, and a stoppage-time penalty conceded by Devin Titus only compounded their problems.Elsewhere, RS Berkane of Morocco cruised past CD Lunda Sul 2-0, with Issoufou Sellsavon Dayo scoring both goals.Former Harambee Stars captain defends underfire coach Engin FiratGroup C: ASEC Mimosas Impress Against JaraafASEC Mimosas kicked off their campaign with a solid 2-0 win over Senegal’s ASC Jaraaf at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan. Razack Cissé put ASEC ahead, while Kankonde Tshisungu’s 71st-minute header cemented the win. ASEC leads the group with three points, leaving Jaraaf with work to do in their upcoming fixtures.Meanwhile, USM Alger dismantled Orapa United with a 6-0 thrashing in Algeria. Ismail Belkacemi scored an early brace, with Saadi Raouani, Wale Alli, Nabil Lamara, and Islam Mrili contributing to the rout.Group D: Al Masry Outclasses EnyimbaEgypt’s Al Masry dominated Nigeria’s Enyimba with a 2-0 win at the Suez Canal Stadium, thanks to Mahmoud Hamada’s early brace. Hamada scored the opener in the 5th minute and doubled the lead soon after, leaving Enyimba unable to break through Al Masry’s sturdy defense.Defending champions Zamalek also opened with a win, defeating Mozambique’s Black Bulls 2-0, with Ahmed Abdelhamid netting both goalsShabana edge lethargic AFC Leopards in rain-soaked clash in Kisii
