CAF Champions League
Egypt cry foul over African Champions League final in Morocco
With a final match of Al Ahly FC of Egypt and Wydad Casablanca of Morocco looming, the Egyptians are complaining about CAF’s decision to take the final match to Morocco and home ground of their likely opponents.
Both Al Ahly and Wydad Casablanca recorded comfortable first leg wins in their respective first leg matches of the semi-finals.
Ahly, the record 10-time African club champions – appear poised to meet Wydad in the final after both sides recorded comfortable wins in the opening legs of their respective semi-finals this weekend.
Ahly hammered ES Setif of Algeria 4-0 at home, while the Moroccan champions grabbed a 3-1 away win against Petro Atletico of Angola, making this weekend’s return legs merely a formality.
CAF’s decision was based on the fact that it was only Morocco that made bid after Senegal withdrew their initial bid.
“A few months ago, four to five countries expressed interest in hosting the final but only two candidates properly came through,” a CAF source told BBC Sport Africa.
“We wanted more countries to bid, because the final is often between those from Morocco and Egypt. So it was fantastic to receive the Senegal bid, but they withdrew.”
Reaction to the decision has seen the hashtag #stopcafcorruption trend online, with insinuations that African football’s ruling body had purposely selected Morocco to boost Wydad’s chances should they reach the final – which CAF has rejected.
Al Ahly coach Pitso Mosimane even asked ‘What is this all about?’ above a graphic showing the hashtag trending globally on Twitter.
Before the announcement on Monday, Al Ahly had asked CAF to stage the match in a neutral venue given the possibility that Wydad will be there.
Like their coach, many Ahly fans reacted with incredulity at the decision, which came three weeks before the final and just days after Wydad took a 3-1 first-leg lead against Angola’s Petro Atletico.
Even one-time Fifa presidential hopeful Ramon Vega raised objections online.
“How does Caf play two successive Champions League finals in Morocco? No other country in Africa can stage the final? #StopCafCorruption disgrace,” the former Switzerland defender tweeted.
“It does not make any sense,” the Caf official said.
“The fans should ask themselves: ‘how many countries are willing to host the final?’ It costs a significant amount to do so. If it was easy, we’d be discussing candidacies from 10 countries or so.”
BBC Sport Africa understands that when the original deadline for bid submissions passed in February, only Morocco had come forward to bid.
With the North African nation having hosted the final lase expressions of interest from Nigeria, Senegal and South Africa, only Morocco remained when it came to decision time.
With its brand new 50,000-capacity stadium in Diamniadio, Senegal had been considered a serious candidate to win the bid but withdrew last week, possibly over doubts about their chances.
Why the late decision?
African football’s ruling body leaves the decision late in a bid to ensure the final takes place in a region that could attract a decent crowd for the continent’s showpiece club event.
“It is our intention in taking time to announce the final venue to give more opportunity to countries who reach the latter stages of the competition to bid – we need a final in the right region to get people to attend it,” the Caf source explained.
“People in Europe have money to travel to a final and pay the match ticket, but in Africa it is not the same.”
Until 2020, the African Champions League final had always been a two-legged affair, with matches played in both finalists’ home nation.
When announcing the decision on Monday night, Caf stated that talks are “underway within Caf to revert to the old two-legged home and away final to determine the winner of the Champions League, rather than the one-leg final.”
Al Ahly, who recorded a 4-0 win over Algeria’s Entente Setif in the first leg of their last four tie, are chasing an unprecedented third successive African Champions League title.
Wydad have won the tournament twice, while Petro are looking to overturn a 3-1 deficit to reach the final for the first time.
CAF Champions League
Brazil’s Ribeiro Costa Gone, Rivalry Renewed: Mamelodi Sundowns Reshape Squad Before Remo Stars Showdown
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
Mamelodi’s talismanic Brazilian player, Lucas Ribeiro Costa has made a sudden departure from the club which is well known for its Brazil-styled football attire. The departure of the player has forced a tactical reset at Sundowns ahead of the CAF Champions League second round clash with Remo Stars.
On the other hand, Nigeria’s champions, Remo Stars, are bracing up for a titanic CAF Champions League second-round showdown against Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa — a fixture that not only promises fireworks on the pitch but also rekindles one of African football’s most intense rivalries.
The first leg of the tie will take place in Abeokuta, the temporary home ground of Remo Stars with the return fixture scheduled for South Africa.
Sundowns, are continental heavyweights — former African champions and perennial campaigners known for their fluid attacking football.
However, the South Africans will enter this contest amid tactical reshuffling following the shock departure of Ribeiro, their Brazilian talisman and last season’s Premier Soccer League (PSL) Footballer of the Year.
New coach Miguel Cardoso has acknowledged the impact of Ribeiro’s exit but insists the Tshwane-based side are evolving into a more unified team rather than relying on individual brilliance.
“No player will replace Lucas because that’s not what we are looking for,” Cardoso told reporters after Sundowns’ first league loss of the season.
“We are looking to reinforce the team and make it completely different. Ribeiro was unique, but now we must play more as a collective.”
Cardoso revealed that Sundowns have recruited Portuguese playmaker Nuno Santos from Vitória Guimarães and are closing in on another Portuguese midfielder, Miguel Reisinho, to enhance their creative options.
Despite this transition phase, the South African champions remain formidable, boasting one of the continent’s most technically balanced squads. Their clash with Nigeria’s Remo Stars — debutants in this elite stage — offers a fascinating contrast between experience and ambition.
Beyond the football itself, the fixture taps into a storied Nigeria–South Africa rivalry that has shaped African football narratives for decades — from national team duels at the Africa Cup of Nations to club-level battles in CAF competitions.
Matches between sides from both nations have often been fierce, emotionally charged, and symbolic of continental supremacy.
For Remo Stars, this encounter represents both a massive test and an opportunity to make a statement.
The Ikenne-based side, known for their youthful energy and tactical discipline, will aim to upset the odds against one of Africa’s richest and most accomplished clubs.
Their head coach, Daniel Ogunmodede, is expected to lean on the attacking prowess of Adams Olamilekan and the creativity of Ebuka Anthony to breach Sundowns’ disciplined defence.
With pride, prestige, and progression on the line, all eyes will be on the two legs of this Nigeria–South Africa contest — a battle that goes beyond footballing tactics to touch the nerve of a continental rivalry steeped in passion and history.
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Rivers United have advanced to the second preliminary round of the CAF Champions League after defeating Les Aigles of the Democratic Republic of Congo 1–0 in the return leg on Sunday at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.
Following a goalless stalemate in the first leg in Kinshasa, the Nigerian side sealed progression on a 1–0 aggregate scoreline, thanks to a first-half strike that proved decisive in a tightly contested encounter.
The win sends Rivers United into the second preliminary round, where they will face the winner of the tie between AC Léopards of Congo and Black Bulls of Mozambique.
With this result, Rivers United join Remo Stars in the second round of the CAF Champions League.
The next round is scheduled to hold between October 17 and 26, while the group stage kicks off in November
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Remo Stars have sealed their passage into the second preliminary round of the CAF Champions League after edging Comoros’ US Zilimadjou 1–0 in Abeokuta on Friday, completing an emphatic 5–0 aggregate victory.
Forward Alex Oyowah struck the decisive goal in the 74th minute, calmly converting from the penalty spot to settle the return leg at the MKO Abiola International Stadium.
With a four-goal cushion from the first leg in – courtesy of strikes from Lamine Ndenge, Ebuka Anthony, Adams Goïta and Seun Olasupo – coach Daniel Ogunmodede’s side approached the second leg tie with composure and tactical discipline.
Despite Zilimadjou’s spirited attempt to salvage pride, Remo Stars’ organisation off the ball ensured the visitors rarely threatened.
The Sky Blue Stars grew in confidence as the game wore on, controlling possession and protecting their clean sheet before Oyowah’s late strike put the result beyond doubt.
The Nigerian side will now brace for a tougher test in October when they meet South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns in what promises to be one of the glamour fixtures of the next round.
Other return-leg fixtures across the continent are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, with the full line-up for the second preliminary round to be confirmed thereafter.
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