Algerian club USMA, disqualified from the 2024 CAF Confederation Cup due to a dispute over a map of Morocco, has been reinstated for the upcoming season.
The Algiers outfit received a first-round bye in Thursday’s qualifying draws in Cairo and will face either James of South Sudan or Stade Tunisien of Tunisia in the last-32 stage.
USMA’s disqualification stemmed from a controversial incident in last year’s semi-final against Renaissance Berkane of Morocco. Berkane’s shirts included a map of Morocco incorporating the disputed Western Sahara territory, which Algeria backs for independence. Algerian customs officials confiscated the shirts, leading to Berkane’s refusal to play the first leg and their subsequent 3-0 victory by default.
USMA traveled to Morocco for the return leg but left the stadium upon discovering Berkane would again wear the disputed shirts. Berkane was awarded another 3-0 win and went on to lose the final to Zamalek of Egypt. USMA escaped further punishment from the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The return of USMA bolsters a competition featuring several former winners. Zamalek (Egypt), Stade Malien (Mali), CS Sfaxien (Tunisia), and Berkane themselves will join USMA in vying for the title. The first round kicks off in August,followed by the second round in September. Winners of the second round progress to the group stage, where a minimum payout of $400,000 awaits.
Zamalek faces African debutants Police of Kenya or Coffee of Ethiopia, while Berkane awaits the winner between El Kanemi Warriors of Nigeria and Dadje of Benin. Other notable matchups include Stade Malien against Paynesville of Liberia or Fovu Baham of Cameroon, and record three-time winners Sfaxien taking on Horseed of Somalia or Rukinzo of Burundi.
Nigerian giants Enyimba, two-time CAF Champions League winners, will also be in the mix, facing Hafia of Guinea or a yet-to-be-determined club from Burkina Faso. The competition also features other former African champions like Hafia (Guinea), V Club (DR Congo), and ASEC Mimosas (Ivory Coast).
