Dreams FC has advanced to the next phase of the CAF Confederation Cup after finishing at the top of Group C. The Still Believers lost 2-1 in their last group game to Nigerian club Rivers United FC on Sunday at the Goodwills Akpabio International Stadium but secured qualification.

The reigning MTN FA Cup winners of Ghana go through with 12 points despite their defeat to Rivers United FC.

They progressed to the quarterfinals alongside Rivers United FC following the outcome between Club Africain and APC Lobito, who drew 1-1. Lobito's away draw offered Dreams FC the top spot and thus qualification.

Attacking midfielder and Ghanaian youngster Abdul Aziz Issah gave the visitors the lead in the first half, which they held onto till the break, but Rivers United FC bounced back fresh to make a comeback with two second-half goals.

Dreams FC failed to capitalize on the few chances they manufactured as they lost 2-1. Nonetheless, it has achieved a milestone in the CAF Confederation Cup despite its maiden participation. They've become the first Ghanaian club to book a place in the quarterfinals of the CAF second-tier competition after 20 years.

Several clubs, including Asante Kotoko SC, Hearts of Oak SC, Berekum Chelsea FC, Aduana Stars FC, and Medeama SC, have participated in Africa over the past two decades but have nothing of glory to show.

Medeama SC were the last team to make a positive impact in the CAF Confederation Cup when they participated in 2016. However, they failed to reach the quarterfinal stage after losing 1-0 to MO Bejaia in their last fixture in Group A. The group had FC Yanga, MO Bejaia, and DR Congo side TP Mazembe.

Asante Kotoko SC in 2019 also plied their trade in the CAF Confederation Cup after dropping from the Champions League after failing to inspire in two preliminary round matches. The Porcupine Warriors had Zesco United, Al Hilal Omdurman, and Nkana FC in the group but could not sail through.

In 2021, Accra Hearts of Oak SC and Asante Kotoko SC both went to Africa but failed to reach the group stage as they got eliminated in the preliminary round.

Dreams FC, following their qualification on Sunday, has become the first Ghanaian club to book a spot in the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup after almost 21 years. No club from Ghana has managed to achieve this feat since 2004, but Dreams FC is the first to break the barrier.

In 2004, Asante Kotoko SC and Hearts of Oak SC achieved this and made their way to the finals, with Hearts of Oak SC eventually beating Kotoko to clinch the title. Since the aforementioned year, no Ghanaian club has come close to breaking the barrier, but Dreams FC, who made it to professional football in 2009, made it.

Under the technical direction of manager Abdul Karim Zito, Dreams FC has broken the longest standing record with qualification to the quarterfinals. This journey started with Dreams FC winning the MTN FA Cup and dispatching Milo FC from Guinea and Kallon FC from Sierra Leone in the first and second preliminary rounds, respectively.

As Dreams FC hopes to advance to the semi-finals, they will face one of the following: Abu Salem, RS Berkane, Zamelek FC, USM Alger, Modern Future FC, and Stade Malein.

Story: Kolog Bonaventure