Football Journey: May 2022

Tuesday, May 10, 2022

African Cup Winners Cup

African Cup Winners Cup. Same old, same old... Douanes (Mauritania) left the field at the 64^th minute of the first leg against Wallidan (Gambia), losing 0-3 in the preliminary round. Dragons de d'Ouleme (Benin), Hearts of Oak (Ghana), KAC Marrakech (Morocco) withdrew without playing in the first round. US Mbila Nzambi (Gabon) played at home the opening leg against Inter Club (Congo Brazzaville), which ended 1-1 and withdrew. Wallidan (Gambia), after benefiting from opponent's withdrawal in the preliminary round, withdrew without playing in the ¼ finals. Never mind the usual, the tournament meandered to its finals stages – in the semifinals Diamant Yaounde (Cameroon) was eliminated by CA Bizerte 1-0 and 0-3, and Inter Club (Congo Brazzaville) lost to Ranchers Bees (Nigeria) 1-0 and 0-2. Thus, the final opposed Nigerian to Tunisian team. Visiting Kaduna, CA Bizerte managed a 0-0 draw and then prevailed at home 1-0.

Ranchers Bees – or Rancher's Bees – from Kaduna lost the final by a single goal. It was great success for one of the less known African clubs.

Exotic name, no doubt, but also very hard to find – little chance this photo is from their may be greatest season. Not sure even if it was from the period – but, conditionally, let have it.

Club Athletique Bizertin, usually known just as CA Bizerte, achieved its greatest success in their already 60-years of existence.

It was great historic success on two accounts – not only CA Bizerte won its first continental trophy, but it was the first time Tunisian club won. And it was just the second time Tunisian team reached a final – in the previous year in the same tournament Esperance Sportive lost. Great and proud moment for both club and country.