Confederation Cup Winners Into CAFCL?

The winner of the CAF Confederation Cup won’t be playing in the Champions League next season, according to the official regulations.

Orlando Pirates are potentially three games away from being crowned champions of the Confederation Cup with Al Ahli Tripoli awaiting them in the semi-finals – while RS Berkane and TP Mazembe make up the rest of the final four teams.

There have been questions marks surrounding whether a triumph could see them added into Africa’s elite club competition, in the same manner as the UEFA Europa League winners secure Champions League qualification.

However, the rules state qualification for the Champions League can only be secured by league positions, one and two, within the top 12 leagues in CAF and 1st in the leagues outside the top 12.

In section four, rule 13: “The winner of CAF Confederation Cup must take part in the next edition of CAF Confederation Cup unless it is engaged in CAF Champions League of the same season.”

This means the Buccaneers will need to finish second to secure the Champions League spot and should they finish outside the top four and win the Confederation Cup, they will secure the spot held for the Nedbank Cup winners.

Confederation Cup semi-finals in full:

Al Ahli SC (Libya) vs Orlando Pirates (South Africa)

TP Mazembe (DR Congo) vs RS Berkane (Morocco)

The first leg ties will be played on May 8 before the return legs seven days later – the teams mentioned first above are hosts for the opening legs while the final will be a once-off clash at a neutral venue.

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