Complete guide to the CAF Confederation Cup
The CAF Confederation Cup is Africa’s second-tier men’s club competition. It brings together domestic cup winners and high-performing league teams that do not qualify for the CAF Champions League.
Organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the tournament provides a continental pathway and qualification for the CAF Super Cup. As of 12 April 2026, it remains one of the most competitive club competitions on the continent.
History and background
The competition was introduced in 2004 after CAF merged the African Cup Winners’ Cup and the CAF Cup into a single tournament.
This created a clearer continental structure, with the Champions League as the top tier and the Confederation Cup as the secondary competition. Since then, the tournament has grown in strength and consistency across multiple regions.
Format and competition structure
The CAF Confederation Cup combines knockout rounds with a group stage.
Preliminary rounds
- Teams enter through preliminary and first rounds
- Played over two legs (home and away)
- Winners progress to the play-off round
Play-off round
- Teams eliminated from the CAF Champions League enter
- Winners advance to the group stage
Group stage
- 16 teams divided into four groups of four
- Each team plays six matches
Points system
- Win: 3 points
- Draw: 1 point
- Loss: 0 points
Tiebreakers
Teams level on points are separated by:
- Head-to-head points
- Head-to-head goal difference
- Head-to-head goals scored
- Overall goal difference
- Overall goals scored
- Drawing of lots if required
Knockout stage
- Top two teams from each group qualify for the quarter-finals
- Quarter-finals, semi-finals and final are played over two legs
- Aggregate score determines the winner
- Extra time and penalties used if required
Qualification pathway
- Domestic cup winners qualify
- High-placed league teams not in the CAF Champions League may qualify
- Teams eliminated from the Champions League enter at the play-off stage
Dynasties and dominant eras
RS Berkane rise
RS Berkane (Morocco) are one of the defining clubs of the modern era. They won the competition in 2020, 2022 and 2025, establishing themselves as consistent contenders.
Tunisian consistency
CS Sfaxien (Tunisia) remain one of the most successful clubs in the competition’s history, while Étoile du Sahel (Tunisia) have also maintained a strong continental presence.
Moroccan and Egyptian strength
Clubs from Morocco and Egypt have regularly reached the latter stages. Raja Casablanca (Morocco) and Zamalek (Egypt) have both added multiple titles in the modern format.
Recent winners
- 2025: RS Berkane
- 2024: Zamalek
- 2023: USM Alger (Algeria)
- 2022: RS Berkane
- 2021: Raja Casablanca
- 2020: RS Berkane
List of winners
- 2004: Hearts of Oak (Ghana)
- 2005: FAR Rabat (Morocco)
- 2006: Étoile du Sahel (Tunisia)
- 2007: CS Sfaxien (Tunisia)
- 2008: CS Sfaxien
- 2009: Stade Malien (Mali)
- 2010: FUS Rabat (Morocco)
- 2011: MAS Fez (Morocco)
- 2012: AC Leopards (Congo)
- 2013: CS Sfaxien
- 2014: Al Ahly (Egypt)
- 2015: Étoile du Sahel
- 2016: TP Mazembe (DR Congo)
- 2017: TP Mazembe
- 2018: Raja Casablanca
- 2018–19: Zamalek
- 2019–20: RS Berkane
- 2020–21: Raja Casablanca
- 2021–22: RS Berkane
- 2022–23: USM Alger
- 2023–24: Zamalek
- 2024–25: RS Berkane
Most successful clubs
- RS Berkane (Morocco) – 3 titles
- CS Sfaxien (Tunisia) – 3 titles
- Étoile du Sahel (Tunisia) – 2 titles
- TP Mazembe (DR Congo) – 2 titles
- Raja Casablanca (Morocco) – 2 titles
- Zamalek (Egypt) – 2 titles
Players of significance
Tarek Hamed was central to Zamalek’s midfield during their 2018–19 title-winning campaign and remained influential in later continental runs.
Walid Soliman played a key role in Al Ahly’s 2014 success, contributing experience and attacking output in decisive matches.
Players from RS Berkane’s recent squads have also shaped the modern era, reflecting the club’s consistency across multiple title-winning campaigns.
Managers of significance
Faouzi Benzarti led Étoile du Sahel (Tunisia) to the 2006 title and remains one of the most respected coaches in African club football.
Mounir Jaouani guided RS Berkane (Morocco) to their first title in 2020, laying the foundation for their modern success.
Coaches within the RS Berkane system have continued that progress, contributing to multiple titles across the 2020s.
Records and milestones
- First winner (2004): Hearts of Oak (Ghana)
- Most successful clubs: RS Berkane (Morocco) and CS Sfaxien (Tunisia) – 3 titles each
- Competition formed from merger of CAF Cup and Cup Winners’ Cup
- Winners qualify for the CAF Super Cup
Why the CAF Confederation Cup matters
The CAF Confederation Cup provides a realistic route to continental success for clubs outside the Champions League. It offers consistent international competition and helps build experience at a higher level.
The tournament is often more open, with a wider range of clubs competing for the title across different regions.
For many teams, it is a key step toward sustained continental success.