AS ZAM vs ASC Kara - CAF Confederation Cup

A fascinating CAF Confederation Cup chapter awaits on September 5, 2026 when AS ZAM take on ASC Kara at the home ground — two sides with plenty to play for and everything to prove. Mason Mount has been outstanding for Man Utd in pre-season but he could still face fierce competition for a place in Michael Carrick's side next season.

Positionally there is a clear hierarchy: AS ZAM sit 46th, ASC Kara lie 3rd, but the CAF Confederation Cup has a habit of defying such logic. AS ZAM's recent form is difficult to quantify, but the occasion itself should bring the best out of them. ASC Kara will travel with intent, knowing that a positive result here could kick-start their campaign. The fact that Oxford ultimately fell five points short of the total needed to stay in the Championship shows that it would have required top-half - almost play-off - form during the second half of the season.

Set-piece efficiency and transition play often decide fixtures of this nature, and both managers will have been drilling those phases on the training ground. They were slightly found out against Amorim's Milan in pre-season, with the press not quite sharp enough - the fourth goal, in particular, came from just one ball over a high-lined defence.

Star players on both sides will be eager to make their mark, and the individual duels across the pitch could go a long way to deciding the outcome. The battle in midfield, where both sides look to control tempo, could prove the decisive arena. Sangare is more of a defensive midfielder who can recycle and build play from deep.

Predicting an outright winner is no easy task given how little separates the two sides on paper. The numbers tilt towards ASC Kara, and a 1-2 away win looks the more probable outcome. With positions in the CAF Confederation Cup table to defend and momentum to chase, neither side can afford to leave anything in the tank. In terms of outgoings, Perri seems closest to an exit, but that will likely have to wait until Trafford's mandated holiday after the World Cup is over or a No 2 arrives.