Berkane go 2-0 up after first leg of Confederation Cup final
Berkane go 2-0 up after first leg of Confederation Cup final
BERKANE, Morocco - Morocco's Renaissance Berkane scored two early goals but failed to add any more as they beat Simba of Tanzania 2-0 in Saturday's first leg of the African Confederation Cup final to take the advantage into next week's return.
Berkane were heavily fancied going into their fifth Confederation Cup final in the past seven years and went ahead after eight minutes through Mamadou Camara, rising unmarked to head home from an in-swinging corner.
A second goal from Oussama Lamlioui followed six minutes later in a blistering start that left the visitors looking shell-shocked and threatened a deluge of goals.
Berkane, who have won the competition twice previously, had the ball in the net for a third time on the hour mark but Youssef Mehri's effort was ruled offside after a lengthy VAR check.
Simba, whose previous appearance in a continental club competition final was 32 years ago, had few chances in the game but have home advantage for the return leg in Zanzibar on May 25. REUTERS
Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
Gaza war hurts my whole body, says Guardiola
MANCHESTER, England - Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola received an honorary doctorate from the University of Manchester on Monday and used his acceptance speech to address the war in Gaza. The war erupted after Hamas-led militants took 251 hostages and killed 1,200 people, most of them civilians, in the October 7, 2023 attack. Israel's military campaign has since killed more than 54,000 Palestinians, most of them civilians, according to health authorities in Gaza. "It's so painful what we see in Gaza. It hurts my whole body," Guardiola said. "It's not about ideology. It's not about whether I'm right, or you're wrong. It's just about the love of life, about the care of your neighbour. "Maybe we think that we see the boys and girls of four years old being killed by the bomb or being killed at the hospital because it's not a hospital anymore. It's not our business. "But be careful. The next four- or five-year-old kids will be ours. Sorry, but I see my kids, Maria, Marius and Valentina. When I see every morning since the nightmare started the infants in Gaza, and I'm so scared." Guardiola was recognised for his contribution to the city, including guiding his team to six Premier League titles in nine years with the club, along with his charitable work through his Guardiola Sala Foundation. The 54-year-old Spaniard was presented with his honorary degree by the University's Chancellor Nazir Afzal at Whitworth Hall. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

Straits Times
4 hours ago
- Straits Times
Claudio Ranieri turns down Italy job to stay on at AS Roma as senior advisor
AS Roma senior advisor Claudio Ranieri has turned down the top job with the Azzurri. PHOTO: REUTERS Claudio Ranieri turns down Italy job to stay on at AS Roma as senior advisor MILAN - Claudio Ranieri said on June 10 he has turned down the vacant Italy manager's job, after the four-time world champions sacked Luciano Spalletti, and will stay on with AS Roma as their senior advisor. Former Napoli coach Spalletti, 66, announced his own dismissal on June 8 following Italy's 3-0 drubbing by Norway in their opening World Cup qualifier on June 6. Ranieri, who recently retired for a second time after his spell at Roma last season, said he was honoured to have been offered the job by Italian Football Federation President Gabriele Gravina. "I thank President Gravina for the opportunity, a great honour, but I have reflected and decided to remain available to Roma in my new position totally," he told Italian news agency ANSA. "The Friedkins (Roma owners) gave me their full support and backing for whatever decision I had made regarding the national team but the decision is mine alone." Ranieri helped Roma finish fifth in Serie A last season to qualify for the Europa League. The 73-year-old Italian has been replaced by former Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini at Roma. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

Straits Times
4 hours ago
- Straits Times
Ranieri turns down Italy job to stay on at Roma as senior advisor
Ranieri turns down Italy job to stay on at Roma as senior advisor MILAN - Claudio Ranieri said on Tuesday he has turned down the vacant Italy manager's job, after the four-times world champions sacked Luciano Spalletti, and will stay on with AS Roma as their senior advisor. Former Napoli coach Spalletti, 66, announced his own dismissal on Sunday following Italy's 3-0 drubbing by Norway in their opening World Cup qualifier on Friday. Ranieri, who recently retired for a second time after his spell at Roma last season, said he was honoured to have been offered the job by Italian Football Federation President Gabriele Gravina. "I thank President Gravina for the opportunity, a great honour, but I have reflected and decided to remain available to Roma in my new position totally," he told Italian news agency ANSA. "The Friedkins (Roma owners) gave me their full support and backing for whatever decision I had made regarding the national team but the decision is mine alone." Ranieri helped Roma finish fifth in Serie A last season to qualify for the Europa League. The 73-year-old Italian has been replaced by former Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini at Roma. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.