CAF Confederation Cup 2025-26 Predictions & Betting tips
SportyTrader provides you with a front-row seat to all the action and insights for the CAF Confederation Cup 2025-26. Check out our expert predictions and treasure trove of information as some of Africa’s best football clubs prepare to battle for continental supremacy!
CAF Confederation Cup 2025-26 presentation and predictions
At SportyTrader, we're thrilled to be your trusted companion as we embark on the exhilarating journey that is the CAF Confederation Cup 2025-26.
Originating in 2004 when the CAF merged the African Cup Winners' Cup with the CAF Cup, the CAF Confederation Cup has become the stage where clubs from across Africa vie for supremacy. While it may not always gain the same recognition as its bigger brother, the CAF Champions League, the Confederation Cup is more than just a tournament; it's a stage where underdogs can become African giants, earning itself the nickname the ‘Gateway to Glory’.
Moroccan side RSB Berkane claimed their third Confederation Cup title last season after defeating Simba SC in the final. This moves them up alongside CS Sfaxien for the most titles in the competition’s history. Notably, all three of Berkane’s titles have come in the last six years, while Sfaxien’s three came in 2007, 2008 and 2013. Other past winners include TP Mazembe, ES Sahel, Raja Casablanca and Zamalek.
Will we see a past winner claim the 2025-26 CAF Confederation Cup, or will we see an underdog rise to the summit? Check out our thoughts below!
CAF Confederation Cup title prediction: who will win the 2025-26 CAF Confederation Cup?
RSB Berkane repaid our faith last season as they would go on to confirm our pre-tournament prediction of the Orange Boys to lift the CAF Confederation Cup title. They'll be participating in the CAF Champions League this season, meaning there are a number of other clubs looking to step up and claim the crown in Africa’s second-tier club competition.
Chief among them are Egyptian giants Zamalek. The White Knights are three time CAF Champions League winners (along with six-time finalists) as well as two-time winners of this competition, the most recent of which came in the 2023-24 campaign.
While they lost star player Zizo to Al-Ahly this summer, Zamalek were able to replace him with Oday Dabbagh from Aberdeen and Chico Banza from Estrela. They’ve hit the ground running in the Egyptian Premier League, taking seven points from the first nine available, which could be a sign of things to come.
This could be a strong season for Zamalek and they should be considered one of the very best teams in this year’s CAF Confederation Cup. Our 2025-26 CAF Confederation Cup prediction: Zamalek champions!
CAF Conderation Cup top scorer prediction: who will score the most goals in 2025-26?
Last season’s top goalscorer in the CAF Confederation Cup was Zakaria Benchaa who finished with six goals for Algerian side CS Constantine. Benchaa made the move to Kuwait in the summer, which means we will have a new golden boot winner in the 2025-26 edition.
It’s a bit difficult to give a prediction for the top goalscorer of the 2025-26 CAF Confederation Cup as the preliminary rounds have yet to be completed, so we’re not sure exactly which teams or players will be competing. Additionally, there are still potential CAF Champions League teams that could be taking part, as those eliminated in the second preliminary round of that tournament have a chance to qualify for this competition.
Nonetheless, we’ve created a list of players to watch out for, based on which teams are currently qualified for the CAF Confederation Cup:
- Ismail Belkacemi (USM Alger)
- Samuel Obeng (Wydad AC)
- Khanyisa Mayo (CR Belouizdad)
- Oday Dabbagh (Zamalek)
- Chico Banza (Zamalek)
- Salah Mohsen (Al Masry)
- Devin Titus (Stellenbosch)
When deciding on a top goalscorer prediction, you will want to prioritize players on teams that you think have a good chance at making it to the later stages of the tournament. This is because those players will have more time on the pitch due to more overall matches played, which of course means more opportunities to score goals.
Our prediction for the 2025-26 CAF Confederation Cup groups
The groups for the 2025-26 CAF Confederation Cup have yet to be decided. The teams are still in the process of playing the two preliminary qualifying rounds which will determine which teams make it to the group stage proper. Once this is determined we’ll be sure to give our thoughts, so check back soon!
In the meantime, you can check out the preliminary round matches below:
First preliminary round (two legs)
- Clube Ferroviario de Maputo vs Fanalamanga
- NEC vs Nairobi United
- TBD vs Djabal Club
- Al-Ahli Wad Madani vs Etoile Sahel
- Wolaitta Dicha SC vs TBD
- Rayon Sport FC vs Singida Black Stars
- FC 105 Libreville vs ZESCO United
- Young Africans vs Royal Leopards FC
- USFA Ouagadougou vs Gbohloe-su
- Stade Tunisien vs ASC Snim
- Clube Desportivo Primeiro de Agosto vs AS Otoho
- Abia Warriors vs Djoliba AC
- AS du Port vs KMKM SC
- Black Man Warrior vs Coton Sport FC
- Aigle Royal Menoua vs FC San Pedro
- TBD vs Pamplemousses
- ASN Nigelec vs OC Safi
- Al-Merreikh Juba vs Azam FC
- Bhantal vs Hafia SC
- Asante Kotoko SC vs Kwara United FC
- Dekedaha FC vs Al-Zamala
- Generation Foot de Sangalkam vs AFAD Djekanou
- Flambeau du Centre vs TBD
- Foresters FC vs 15 de Agosto
- Kabuscorp SC vs Kaizer Chiefs
- Mighty Wanderers FC vs Jwaneng Galaxy
Beginners Guide to how the CAF Confederation Cup 2025-26 works
Wondering what the journey to CAF Confederation Cup glory entails? Here’s a quick breakdown of the entire competition from start to end.
- Qualification: Let the games begin! Teams qualify for the CAF Confederation Cup based on their performance in their respective domestic leagues. Associations ranked higher up the ladder will be allowed more entries to the competition and will be required to participate in fewer qualification rounds. Reaching the group stages includes playing one or two qualifying matches (depending on ranking). A total of 52 teams enter the qualifying rounds but only 16 reach the group stage.
- Group Stage: During the group stages, the qualifying teams are drawn into groups, each consisting of four teams. Group stage matches are played on a home-and-away basis. Points are awarded for wins and draws, and the top two teams from each group advance to the knockout stages. The points system works the same as it does in any league or cup competition.
- Knockout Stages: The top eight sides in the group stages contest the knockout stages, which include the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final. Matches in these stages are also played on a home-and-away basis. The team with the higher aggregate score over the two legs advances to the next round.
- Final: The two surviving teams from the semi-finals face off in the Grand Final to determine the winner of the 2025-26 CAF Confederation Cup. The final is scheduled for 23 May 2026.
How to make good predictions on CAF Confederation Cup 2025-26 matches?
Successfully predicting match outcomes in the CAF Confederation Cup involves a careful analysis of various factors that influence football dynamics. Here are SportyTrader’s key strategies to enhance your prediction game:
- Review Head-to-Head Records
- Analyse Home and Away Trends
- Assess Team Form
- Stay Updated on Key Player News
- Only Use Reliable Information
Strategy 1: Review Head-to-Head Records
One of the most well-known strategies, head-to-head (H2H) records provide an abundance of important information that can help guide your betting decisions. H2H records reveal patterns, strengths, and weaknesses, such as a team’s historical advantage over another. Be sure also to consider the association rankings of each club, as higher-ranking teams often have greater financial resources, which allows them to attract the best players from across their borders. If there are no head-to-head records between the sides you are looking at, search for teams that they have faced from the same country for a better understanding of their chances in the contest.
Example: If Zamalek have never faced Supersport United but have a strong record against other Premier Soccer League sides, then it could stand to reason that they may fare well against other South African sides such as Sekhukune United.
Strategy 2: Analyse Home and Away Trends
Another essential strategy is to sift through the performances of a team on their home ground versus their performances away from home. There is no denying that playing at home tends to be a considerable advantage as teams are more familiar with the conditions and have the support of their fans behind them. However, some teams may have a historical record of performing well at specific venues, which can lead to upsets.
Example: Stade Malien may not have won an away match in the competition as yet, but they have beaten all comers when playing in Mali. Therefore, even if they beat Daibles Noirs at home, for example, that does not necessarily mean they will be favourites to win the away fixture as well.
Strategy 3: Assess Team Form
The sustained level of performance a team delivers serves as a pivotal gauge for a team's present capability and competitiveness at an elevated standard. Dedicate time to assess the recent performances of teams in their respective domestic leagues and past fixtures in the CAF competitions. Keep an eye out for teams that are on a run of good results or are protecting an unbeaten record.
Example: If Zamalek have secured victories in its most recent five matches in both the domestic league and the Confederation Cup, it indicates a noteworthy degree of confidence and form within the side. This information frequently plays a decisive role in figuring out how a team will fare in their upcoming match.
Strategy 4: Stay Updated on Key Player News
Imagine Manchester City without Erling Haaland or Real Madrid without Jude Bellingham. Safe to say, they are not the same team without these key players, and the same goes for teams in the CAF Confederation Cup. Monitor team news for information on player injuries and suspensions. The absence of key players can significantly impact a team's performance.
Example: If a team’s most influential player is suspended or likely to miss the net match due to injury or illness, his absence from the squad could impact the overall performance of the team and the end result.
Strategy 5: Only Use Reliable Information
While there are plenty of platforms to access data for the CAF Confederation Cup, the importance of relying on accurate and credible information cannot be overstated. Before incorporating any information into your analysis, verify the source's credibility. Ensure that the data comes from reputable sports news outlets, official team statements, or recognised statistical databases. This is where SportyTrader stands out from the crowd, as our African football experts leave no stone unturned in their analysis and predictions. The same can be said about bookmakers, so be sure to use more than one source wherever possible.
What not to do for your CAF Confederation Cup 2025-26 predictions
- Don't Overlook Recent Form
- Don't Rely Solely on Team Reputation
- Don't Disregard Key Player Injuries or Suspensions
- Don't Disregard Venue and Weather Conditions
- Don't Base Predictions on Unverified Rumors
- Don’t Allow Supporter Bias
- Don’t Rely on Lengthy Accumulators and Parlays Landing
- Never Chase Previous Match Losses
By steering clear of these pitfalls and adopting a balanced and informed approach, your predictions for the CAF Confederation Cup 2025-26 can be more accurate and insightful.
CAF Confederation Cup 2025-26 prediction: statistics you need to know
Making use of statistics is vital to finding winning bets. To help with your betting decisions, here are a few key stats from the previously completed season (2024-25):
- Home wins: 52%
- Draws: 26%
- Away wins: 22%
- Average goals: 2.12 goals per game
- +0.5 goals: 85%
- -0.5 goals: 15%
- +1.5 goals: 62%
- -1.5 goals: 38%
- +2.5 goals: 34%
- -2.5 goals: 66%
- +3.5 goals: 20%
- -3.5 goals: 80%
- +4.5 goals: 9%
- -4.5 goals: 91%
- Goal timing distribution: 76-90 minutes (22%)
- First half goals: 48%
- Second half goals: 52%
- Average home team goals: 1.43
- Average away team goals: 0.69
- “Both teams to score: yes”: 35% of matches
- Average shots per match: 19.31 shots
- Wins by 2 goals or more (handicap): 38% of matches
- Correct score 0-0: 14.9% of matches
- Correct score 1-1: 9.7% of matches
- Most frequent score: 1-0 or 0-1 (23.1% of games)
Home field advantage in the Confederation Cup is even more pronounced than that of its big brother. More than half of all matches resulted in a home win (52%), compared to the CAF Champions League mark of 48%. Matches in this competition also tend to be even more cagey with a lower average goals total (2.12) compared to 2.22 in the Champions League.
A BTTS mark of just 28% and average away goals of 0.69 show that teams on the road in this tournament have a really hard time finding the net. Be sure to keep this in mind when planning your bets! Matches in both continental tournaments in Africa tend to be defensive-minded, with managers often setting up to neutralize their opponent. The result is a very high frequency of goalless matches (14.9%), as well as matches that finish with under 2.5 goals (66%).
In short: how to make the right CAF Confederation Cup 2025-26 predictions?
Making accurate predictions for the CAF Confederation Cup requires a combination of research, analysis, and a deep understanding of various factors influencing a team's performance. When considering factors such as winning streaks, goal-scoring patterns, and defensive stability, be sure to leave your supporter bias out of your final decision.
Base your predictions on accurate and credible information. Avoid relying on rumours or speculative data and verify information from reputable sources to ensure accuracy. A betting decision is only as reliable as the information it is based on!
And, don't forget to use SportyTrader's football predictions to help you have an advantage over the bookmakers. Let's aim for success in this year's CAF Confederation Cup!
Our CAF Confederation Cup Predictions of the moment
There are no previews at the moment for this competition
Best Odds to bet on CAF Confederation Cup 2025-26
2.55
3.05
2.65
2.6
2.95
2.65
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All the images in this article come from the IMAGO website.
CAF Confederation Cup 2025-26 : Frequently Asked Questions
The CAF Confederation Cup kicks off with the first qualifying round on September 19, 2025. The group stages will run from November 21, 2025 to February 14, 2026. The Grand Final will take place over two legs on May 16 and 23, 2026.
CS Sfaxien and RS Berkane has won the CAF Confederation Cup the most with three wins under their belts. They are followed by ES Sahel, TP Mazembe, Zamalek and Raja Casablanca with two titles each.
The grouping is typically based on a draw conducted by CAF. Teams are drawn into different pots according to their ranking, and once placed in groups via the draw, they compete against each other in a round-robin format during the group stage.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) employs the CAF 5-year ranking system to decide the allocation of slots for club football competitions, namely the CAF Champions League and the CAF Confederation Cup. Currently, the top 12 ranked associations are granted the privilege of entering two teams into each of these competitions. Conversely, the remaining associations are restricted to a single team in each competition, ensuring a balance in representation based on the rankings.
In the event of tied ranking points, the team with more points from the previous season will be considered higher-ranked. This mechanism ensures a fair and competitive seeding process for the two CAF club competitions.
CAF Confederation Cup matches are broadcast on various sports networks and streaming platforms. In most countries across Africa, the tournament can be viewed on DSTV or DSTV Now.
If you cannot watch the matches on TV, SportyTrader will be covering every match of the CAF Confederation Cup 2025-26 on our CAF Confederation Cup Livescore page.
