The Continental Chase
A Deep Dive into Africa's Premier Club Football Tournament: The 2022-23 CAF Confederation Cup.
Tournament Overview ⚽ Key Statistics 📊Dive in with Flashcard Learning!
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Tournament Overview
The Competition
The 2022–23 CAF Confederation Cup marked the 20th iteration of Africa's secondary continental club football competition, organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). This prestigious tournament serves as a crucial platform for clubs aspiring to continental glory beyond the CAF Champions League.
Sponsorship and Scale
For this edition, the tournament was officially known as the 2022–23 TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup, reflecting the significant sponsorship from TotalEnergies. The competition involved a vast network of clubs, commencing with extensive qualifying rounds and culminating in a structured group stage and knockout phase.
Champions and Qualification
USM Alger emerged as the champions, securing their first-ever Confederation Cup title. This victory not only conferred continental prestige but also granted them automatic qualification for the 2023–24 CAF Confederation Cup and a place in the 2023 CAF Super Cup, where they would face the winners of the CAF Champions League.
Key Statistics
Victorious Campaign
USM Alger (Algeria) claimed the championship title, marking a significant achievement in their club history.
Finalist
Young Africans (Tanzania) reached the final, demonstrating a strong performance throughout the tournament.
Goal Scoring
A total of 147 goals were scored across 62 matches, averaging approximately 2.37 goals per game, indicating a competitive and often high-scoring tournament.
Top Marksman
Fiston Mayele, representing the Democratic Republic of the Congo, was the tournament's leading scorer with 7 goals, showcasing exceptional attacking prowess.
Team Allocation & Rankings
The entry of teams into the CAF Confederation Cup is governed by a rigorous system based on the CAF 5-year ranking. This methodology assesses the performance of clubs from each member association over a five-year period in CAF competitions, determining eligibility and seeding.
Ranking Methodology
Points are awarded for progression through the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup. For the 2022–23 season, the 2017–2022 ranking was utilized. Points are weighted by year, with more recent performances carrying greater significance (e.g., 2021–22 matches were multiplied by 5).
Top Associations
Morocco, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, and South Africa consistently rank among the top associations, typically earning berths for two teams. The ranking system ensures that historically successful nations have a greater representation, reflecting their sustained performance in continental club competitions.
| Association | Rank (Pts) | Team | Qualifying Method |
|---|---|---|---|
 Morocco |
1 (194) | RS Berkane | Title holders |
 Egypt |
2 (176) | Future | League 3rd place |
 Algeria |
3 (115) | JS Saoura | League 3rd place |
 Tunisia |
4 (113) | Club Sfaxien | League 3rd place |
 South Africa |
5 (109.5) | Royal AM | League 3rd place |
Note: Bold indicates teams that received byes to the second round of qualifying.
Other Participants
Beyond the top-ranked nations, numerous other associations entered teams, often qualifying through domestic cup victories or league positions. These teams represent the broad spectrum of African football talent, contributing to the tournament's rich diversity.
| Association | Rank (Pts) | Team | Qualifying Method |
|---|---|---|---|
 Zambia |
13 (24.5) | ZESCO United | League Runners-up |
 Cameroon |
14 (14.5) | PWD Bamenda | Cup Winners |
 Ivory Coast |
16 (10.5) | Gagnoa | League Runners-up |
| Congo |
17 (8) | Diables Noirs | Cup Winners |
 Botswana |
18 (6) | Security Systems | Cup Runners-up |
Note: Bold indicates teams that received byes to the second round of qualifying.
Tournament Timeline
The competition unfolded across several distinct phases, from the initial qualifying matches to the decisive final encounter.
Key Dates
The tournament spanned from September 2022 to June 2023, encompassing:
- Qualifying Rounds: September – November 2022
- Group Stage: February – April 2023
- Knockout Stage: April – June 2023
Qualifying Rounds
The initial stages involved numerous clubs vying for a place in the group stage. These preliminary matches were contested over two legs, with the away goals rule and penalty shoot-outs employed to resolve ties.
First & Second Rounds
The first round saw 32 teams compete, with winners advancing to face 16 teams that received byes. The second round determined the 16 teams that would progress to the playoff round.
| Team 1 | Agg. | Team 2 | 1st Leg | 2nd Leg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Kwara United  |
3–0 |  Douanes de Niamey |
3–0 | 0–0 |
LISCR  |
1–3 | Gagnoa |
0–0 | 1–3 |
Milo FC  |
2–4 |  ASC Kara |
2–1 | 0–3 |
Douanes de Ouagadougou  |
0–0 (1–3 p) |  Real Bamako |
0–0 | 0–0 |
Hilal Alsahil  |
2–2 (a) |  Geita Gold |
1–0 | 1–2 |
Fasil Kenema  |
3–1 |  Bumamuru FC |
3–0 | 0–1 |
ASAS Télécom  |
0–1 |  AS Kigali FC |
0–0 | 0–1 |
Al Hilal Wau  |
2–2 (3–4 p) |  Kipanga FC |
1–1 | 1–1 |
Playoff Round
The playoff round featured 32 teams: the 16 winners from the second qualifying round and the 16 clubs eliminated from the CAF Champions League second round. This stage determined the final eight teams advancing to the group stage.
| Team 1 | Agg. | Team 2 | 1st Leg | 2nd Leg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rail Club du Kadiogo |
0–2 |  Saint-Éloi Lupopo |
0–1 | 0–1 |
Royal Leopards  |
2–4 | Real Bamako |
1–1 | 1–3 |
| TP Mazembe |
3–0 |  Royal AM |
2–0 | 1–0 |
1º de Agosto  |
2–2 (2–3 p) | Future FC |
1–1 | 1–1 |
| ASEC Mimosas |
5–2 | Gagnoa |
2–0 | 3–2 |
| Djoliba AC |
0–4 |  ASFAR |
0–0 | 0–4 |
Al Ahli Tripoli  |
1–3 | Marumo Gallants FC |
1–0 | 0–3 |
| ASKO Kara |
2–1 | Club Sfaxien |
2–1 | 0–0 |
| Young Africans |
1–0 | Club Africain |
0–0 | 1–0 |
| Flambeau du Centre |
1–4 | Motema Pembe |
0–2 | 1–2 |
Rivers United FC  |
6–1 | Al Nasr |
5–0 | 1–1 |
| Union Monastirienne |
1–0 | RS Berkane |
1–0 | 0–0 |
| Cape Town City |
0–1 |  USM Alger |
0–0 | 0–1 |
| ASN Nigelec |
1–3 | Pyramids FC |
1–0 | 0–3 |
La Passe FC  |
2–6 |  CSMD Diables Noirs |
0–2 | 2–4 |
| Plateau United FC |
4–4 (a) | Al Akhdar SC |
4–1 | 0–3 |
Group Stage Dynamics
Following the playoff round, 16 teams advanced to the group stage. These teams were drawn into four groups (A, B, C, D) of four, with seeding based on the CAF 5-year ranking to ensure competitive balance.
Seeding and Pots
The draw utilized a pot system, allocating teams based on their continental performance rankings. Pot 1 contained the highest-ranked teams, followed by Pot 2, Pot 3, and Pot 4. Each group was constructed to include one team from each pot.
Tiebreaker Criteria
In the event of teams finishing level on points within their group, a series of tiebreakers were applied. These included head-to-head results (points, goal difference, goals scored, away goals), followed by overall group statistics (goal difference, goals scored, away goals), and finally, drawing lots.
Knockout Stage Progression
The top two teams from each group advanced to the knockout stage, commencing with the quarter-finals. These ties were played on a home-and-away basis, culminating in the final match.
Path to the Final
The quarter-finals and semi-finals were fiercely contested, determining the two finalists. Teams like USM Alger and Young Africans navigated these challenging rounds, showcasing resilience and tactical acumen.
Venue of the Final
The final match was hosted at the Stade du 5 Juillet in Algiers, Algeria, providing a significant home advantage for one of the finalists.
The Grand Finale
USM Alger vs. Young Africans
The culmination of the tournament saw Algerian champions USM Alger face Tanzanian powerhouse Young Africans. The final was a testament to the competitive spirit of African club football.
Continental Champions Crowned
After a hard-fought contest, USM Alger secured victory, lifting the CAF Confederation Cup trophy for the first time in their history. This triumph marked a historic moment for the club and Algerian football.
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Academic Disclaimer
Important Notice
This document has been generated by an AI model, synthesizing information from publicly available data sources, primarily Wikipedia. It is intended for educational and analytical purposes for students pursuing higher education.
This is not official sports commentary or analysis. The information provided is based on data available at a specific point in time and may not reflect the most current statistics, rule changes, or team developments. Always consult official CAF sources and reputable sports news outlets for the latest information.
The creators of this page are not affiliated with CAF or TotalEnergies and are not responsible for any inaccuracies, omissions, or actions taken based on the information presented herein.