The Emergency Committee of the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) has approved the dates for the semi-finals and finals for the continental inter-club competitions, the Champions League and the Confederations Cup.
Both competitions which had reached their penultimate stage were halted in March following the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic throughout the continent.
According to a statement released by CAF after the Committee’s meeting, semi-finals and finals will be played between September 22 –26, 2020.
While it was initially reported that the Champions League semi-finals will be decided via a single game, CAF has confirmed that they will actually be played on a home and away basis.
‘Following the withdrawal of Cameroon Football Federation from hosting the final four, and in line with the principle of fairness, it was decided against hosting a final four in either Egypt or Morocco, whose representatives constitute the semi-finalists.’ CAF statement said.
Al-Ahly takes on Wydad Casablanca in the first semi-final while Zamalek plays Raja Casablanca in the other clash.
The first legs of the matches will be played on September 25 and 27 in Morocco, with the second legs played on October 2 and 4 in Egypt.
This, therefore, means Al-Ahly and Zamalek will travel to Morocco to visit Wydad Casablanca and Raja Casablanca respectively.
CAF further confirmed that the final will be played on either October 16 or 17 at a neutral venue.
‘In the principle of fairness, the final will be played at a neutral venue in the event a team from Egypt and Morocco qualify from the semis,’ CAF’s statement confirmed further.
CAF has thus reopened the bidding process for the hosting of a one-off final, with interested Member Associations requested to submit their bids, including the venue and government guarantee not later than August 17.
However, in case both Egyptian or Moroccan clubs progress to the final, the final will be played in either Morocco or Egypt.
Both the Egyptian Football Association and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation have been issued a deadline of 15 August 2020 to confirm their availability according to CAF.
Unlike the Champions League, Morocco will host both the semi-finals and the finals of the Confederations Cup.
The semi-finals will be played in a one-off game on September 22 with the final due a five days later on September 27 at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
The first semi-final match features Uganda Cranes star with Abdu Lumala’s Pyramids SC (Egypt) against Guinea’s AS Horoya with the game set to be played at Mohammed V Complex, Casablanca.
The second semi-final pits RS Berkane against Hassania Agadir both from Morocco with the game scheduled for Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
CAF has called for a strict application of health protocols for the restart of football, with games to be played behind closed doors.
Other protocols include effective and continuous testing of players and officials, plans for training sessions, disinfection of sporting facilities, as well as strict adherence to the global preventive protocols.
FIXTURES
CAF Champions League semi-finals
Al Ahly vs Wydad Casablanca
Zamalek v. Raja Casablanca
Semi-Finals
– Semi-final matches will be played on home and away basis
– First leg matches to be played on 25 & 26 September 2020 in Morocco
– Second leg matches to be played on 2 & 3 October 2020 in Egypt
Final: Bids are open for hosting the final, deadline for submission is August 17, with the final scheduled for October 16 or 17.
FIXTURES
CAF Confederations Cup semi-final and final dates
22.09.2020 – Pyramids (Egypt) vs Horoya (Guinea) at Mohammed V Complex, Casablanca
22.09.2020 – RS Berkane (Morocco) vs Hassania Agadir (Morocco) at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat
Final: 27.09.2020 – Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat
