Confederation Cup offers diversion from World Cup

JOHANNESBURG, May 4 (Reuters) World Cup-bound players take a break from the build up to the finals in Germany to take part in the African Confederation Cup this weekend.

Ivory Coast goalkeeper Jean-Jacques Tizie, Angola's right wing Ze Kalanga and Tunisia striker Amine Ltifi will line up for their clubs in third-round, second-leg matches in Africa's second club competition.

Tizie and Ltifi and their Esperance team mates take a narrow lead to Egypt for a meeting with Al Ittihad in Alexandria on Friday.

A late goal gave the Tunisian side an unconvincing 1-0 home win in the first leg a fortnight ago.

Khaled Badra and Mourad Melki, who played for Tunisia at the last finals in 2002, could do their selection prospects for this year's tournament a favour if they perform well for Esperance.

Luanda hosts two matches this weekend, the first featuring Petro Atletico against Ghana's Berekum Arsenal.

On Saturday, Ze Kalanga will be hoping to bring his national team form to club level, where Petro have been struggling of late and play for the first time under new Brazilian coach Djalma Cavalcante, appointed on Monday.

Ze Kalanga scored twice for Angola at the weekend in the regional Cosafa Castle Cup.

Petro have the advantage after drawing 0-0 away a fortnight ago.

On Sunday, the police team InterClube host Township Rollers of Botswana. The first leg in Gaborone ended 1-1.

Algerian club NA Hussein-Dey, who lead 2-0 from the first leg, will give Hacene Mameri, Lakhdar Messas and goalkeeper Nassim Ousserir late fitness tests before their match in Dakar on Sunday against AS Douanes.

REUTERS AY PC2108