The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is intensifying preparations for its upcoming club competition finals, with officials holding a series of meetings aimed at ensuring smooth organisation—particularly for the Confederation Cup final between Zamalek SC and USM Alger.
According to a source within CAF, discussions have taken place in recent hours focusing on logistical and operational planning for both the CAF Champions League final in Morocco and the CAF Confederation Cup final in Egypt.
The Confederation Cup final, which will be contested over two legs on 9 and 16 May, has drawn particular attention from organisers. CAF is keen to avoid a repeat of organisational difficulties experienced during a previous final hosted by Zamalek.
Lessons from Past Disruptions
CAF officials are expected to hold further coordination meetings with all stakeholders involved in staging the final, including Zamalek as the host club. The move comes after issues surrounding the trophy presentation ceremony during the 2024 final at Cairo Stadium, when Zamalek faced Moroccan side RS Berkane.
Those incidents led to disciplinary action from CAF, with the club ordered to play four matches behind closed doors and fined more than $200,000.
The governing body now appears determined to ensure that similar disruptions do not occur again, particularly given the high-profile nature of the upcoming fixture between Egyptian and Algerian opposition.
Champions League Final Plans Under Review
Attention is also turning to the Champions League final, where Mamelodi Sundowns will face AS FAR. The two-legged tie is currently scheduled for 15 and 24 May, although the final dates are still subject to confirmation.
CAF’s Club Competitions and Licensing Committee is expected to meet soon to finalise arrangements for the first leg, after Sundowns submitted a request to move their home match from 15 May to 17 May at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.
The second leg is set to be held at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
Historic Milestones and Strong Form
For AS FAR, reaching the final represents a landmark achievement in the modern era of the competition. While the Moroccan side previously won the African Cup of Champions Clubs in the 1984–85 season, this marks their first appearance in the final since the tournament adopted its current format.
Their progression also places them among a select group of Moroccan clubs to reach this stage, following the achievements of Raja Casablanca and Wydad AC.
Mamelodi Sundowns, meanwhile, continue to demonstrate consistency at continental level. Their qualification marks a fourth appearance in the final and a second successive run to this stage.
The South African side’s home form has been particularly impressive. Over the past five seasons, they have lost just one of 26 matches on home soil in the Champions League and remain unbeaten at home in the last two editions.
High Stakes, Heightened Oversight
With two major finals approaching, CAF’s focus on organisation reflects both the scale of the events and the lessons learned from previous editions. As Zamalek prepare to host USM Alger and Sundowns take on AS FAR, the governing body is seeking to ensure that attention remains firmly on the football rather than off-field issues.
