Currently sitting top of the Algerian league, Entente Sportive Sétifienne popularly known as ES Setif have been in impeccable form this season.

The Algerian club have only lost one game scoring 20 goals and conceding five goals in 12 games.

They come into this final round of the play-off stage of the Confederations Cup with one eye on the group stages.

Asante Kotoko were in the play-off stages of the CAF Champions league but ended up being knocked out by Al Hilal.

Although the Porcupine Warriors were knocked out, they could still progress to the group stages of the Confederations Cup.

Here’s more details about ES Setif, the club that’ll try to stop Kotoko from progressing:

Setif's rich history

ES Setif have a rich history in football and have become a dominant force in North Africa over the years.

Setif have won the CAF Champions League twice with the first coming in 1988. At that time, they were playing in the Algerian second division and still remain the only club in Africa to have won the Cup Champions League while not being in the top flight.

By virtue of winning the 1988 Champions League, Sétif qualified for the 1989 Afro-Asian Club Championship and won it by beating Al-Sadd of Qatar. Till date, they are the only Algerian club to have won the competition.

Their most recent success in the continental showpiece came in 2014, Setif then went on to win the CAF Super Cup the following year to stamp their dominance on the continent.

In Algeria, Setif is regarded as a prestigious club having won the league eight times. They have also won the Algerian Cup on eight occasions, a joint record.

Setif's 2020/21 form

The last time Setif won the league was in the 2016/17 season and have been trying to win it since.

This season has started on a remarkable note for the 8-time Algerian champions as they currently sit top of the league after 12 games.

El Kahla have been imperious going forward outscoring each team in the league so far with 20 goals.

The defence of Setif has laid the foundation for their success with Nabil Kouki’s men conceding just five goals, the least in the league.

Setif were unbeaten in their first seven games up until they lost their only game so far against MC Alger.

One strength of El Kahla has been their away performances. Out of a possible 18 points, they have picked up 16 points so far, losing none.

In those six away games, Setif have conceded just twice and seem to express themselves better on their travels.

Key Player for Setif

One player who has been important for Setif going forward is Mohamed El Amine Amoura.

The 20-year-old winger has scored five goals in the league this season providing one assist so far.

His dazzling feet makes him a threat in attack for the Algerian side. So far, he is averaging more than two goals and assists per 90 minutes.

Amoura possesses a lot of pace and also has the ability to hold up play and move the whole team forward. If Setif are to get any joy against Kotoko, Amoura will be at the center of that.

Setif’s performance vs Ghanaian clubs

In 2018, Setif knocked out Aduana Stars to reach the group stages of the CAF Champions League.

Although the Ogya Boys took a 1-0 lead in the first leg in Ghana, they were thrashed 4-0 in Algeria.

Asante Kotoko will have to keep this at the back of their minds and try to win comfortably in Accra to prevent a similar occurrence.