CAF Champions League
CAF Champions League: Can Nigerian duo Plateau and Rivers shine up North?
Nigeria’s Plateau and Rivers United shocked giants Esperance and defending champions Wydad Athletic Club in the first leg of the CAF Champions League matches last weekend, and will be keen to take the form up north and complete the jobs.
Both sides picked 2-1 victories at home and can complete the job by avoiding defeat in the away fixtures.
Rivers will be up against the holders on a tough stomping ground at the Mohamed V Stadium in Casablanca. Wydad have been formidable at their home turf and they will be keen to overturn the result, pushed on by their passionate crowd.
But Rivers have vowed not to walk into the pitch with fear in their loins, but instead have said they will give a fight to make history for themselves.
Left back Ebere Duru, one of the standout players at Rivers said they will be keen to continue with the job they did in the first leg, insisting on teamwork and togetherness to push them beyond the odds.
“In the first leg, we had a lot of team spirit and determination and we knew what was a t stake. We came to fight and we got the desired victory,” Duru said.
“We believe that we can complete the job away from home. We will come all out and fight to the end. It is a game of 90 minutes and we will give our all. We know what we are going to face there, so we have prepared both physically and mentally,” he added.
He also notes; “Casablanca stadium is a tough one but we won’t allow it to affect our game plan.”
Rivers, a club founded in 2016 are keen to make their first ever group stage appearance, and what a story it would be if they do so against the defending champions.
Meanwhile in Tunisia, Plateau will also be up to the task of drowning a giant when they take on Esperance du Tunis, with a 2-1 lead from the first leg.
Just like Rivers, Plateau know what awaits them in North Africa, but are pumping in their confidence to ensure they are ready for the task ahead.
Skipper Daniel Itodo believes they have what it takes to cause an upset.
“I believe in the team and the coaches we have and I know we are going to cause an upset in Tunis and get a win. We are well prepared both physically, psychologically and spiritually ready for the task ahead, we know what we are going to face intimidation from their fans but we are ready,” he said.
Itodo has said the victory in the first leg was down to self belief and fighting spirit, especially noting they were first to concede.
“We fought till the end and that is what we are taking to Tunis. We are not ready to give up,” he adds.
In another interesting fixture this weekend, Ugandan champions Vipers SC will be up to make history by seeking their first ever ticket to the group stage of the CAF Champions League when they play Congolese giants TP Mazembe in Lubumbashi. The two sides played to a goalless draw in the first leg in Kampala last weekend.
Any scoring draw will be enough to take Vipers through. On a tough hunting ground, the Ugandans are keen to ensure they drown the giants.
Head coach Roberto Oliveira has charged up his team to ensure they step in and give their best.
“Some people have written us off after the first leg goalless draw but we are determined to give our best against on Saturday. It won’t be a walk in the park for TP Mazembe,” said the coach.
His sentiments are echoed by assistant captain Yunus Sentamu who says; “They have played in this competition for many years and also won it a number of times. But we have no option but to attack them because we need goals. Attack is the weapon we are going to use.”
First Leg Results
- Rivers United FC (Nigeria) 2-1 Wydad AC (Morocco)
- Plateau United FC (Nigeria) 2-1 E.S.T. (Tunisia)
- ASN Nigelec (Niger) 0-2 Raja CA (Morocco)
- US Monastirienne (Tunisia) 0-1 Al Ahly SC (Egypt)
- Vipers SC (Uganda) 0-0 TP Mazembe (DR Congo)
- La Passe FC (Seychelles) 0-7 Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
- Asec Mimosas (Côte D’Ivoire) 0-1 Horoya AC (Guinea)
- ASKO De Kara (Togo) 1-2 JS Kabylie (Algeria)
- Djoliba AC de Bamako (Mali) 2-1 CR Belouizdad (Algeria)
- Young Africans (Tanzania) 1-1 Al Hilal (Sudan)
- Al Merrikh (Sudan) 2-0 Al Ahli Tripoli (Libya)
- FLAMBEAU DU CENTRE(Burundi) 0-1 Zamalek SC (Egypt)
- Cape Town City FC (South Africa) 0-3 Atlético Petroleos (Angola)
- CD Primeiro de Agosto (Angola) 1-3 Simba SC (Tanzania)
- Royal Leopards FC (Eswatini) 1:1 Coton Sport FC (Cameroon)
- Rail Club du Kadiogo (RCK) (Burkina Faso) – AS Vita Club (DR Congo)
-CAF
CAF Champions League
Heartbreak for Al Ahly as Sundowns edge to CAF Champions League final on away goals rule
Mamelodi Sundowns clinched a dramatic spot in the final of the CAF Champions League after holding Al Ahly to a 1-1 draw in Cairo on Friday night, progressing on the away goals rule.
After a tense 0-0 stalemate in the first leg in Pretoria, it was Al Ahly who drew first blood in the return leg at the Cairo International Stadium.
Taher Mohamed fired the hosts into the lead midway through the first half, smashing home from outside the box after being teed up by the lively Emam Ashour.
Backed by a passionate home crowd, Al Ahly dominated much of the first period and looked on course to finally break their winless streak against the South Africans.
But Mamelodi Sundowns showed their resilience and turned the tie on its head in the closing stages.
With ten minutes remaining, a low cross caused panic in the Ahly defence, resulting in Yasser Ibrahim inadvertently turning the ball into his own net under pressure from Peter Shalulile.
It was a heartbreaking moment for the Egyptian giants and a lifeline for Sundowns, who knew a 1-1 draw would be enough to see them through.
Al Ahly threw everything forward in search of a late winner, with substitutes Achraf Bencharki and Wessam Abou Ali both going close in a frantic finale.
But Sundowns, marshalled superbly by their backline and aided by a bit of fortune, held firm to seal a famous qualification.
It marks a significant milestone for Pretoria-based side, who have now gone nine consecutive matches unbeaten against the record African champions.
Sundowns’ reward is a place in the final, where they will face either Pyramids FC or Orlando Pirates — with the second semi-final set to be decided later.
For Al Ahly, it was a night of bitter disappointment despite their brave efforts, as their dream of a record-extending CAF Champions League title came to a crashing halt at home.
-CAF
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CAF Champions League
Late Mayele heroics send Pyramids into historic first final after five-goal thriller
The Egyptian side Pyramids sealed a dramatic 3-2 victory over Orlando Pirates in Cairo on Friday night to book their place in the final of the CAF Champions League for the first time in their history.
After a goalless first leg in Johannesburg, both sides came out determined at the 30 June Air Defence Stadium, and it was Pirates who struck first when Relebohile Mofokeng slotted home from close range midway through the first half.
The lead, however, was short-lived. Pyramids levelled just before half-time, with Fiston Mayele pouncing on a cross from Mostafa Fathi to restore parity.
The end-to-end nature of the contest continued after the break, and Pirates regained the advantage when Mohau Nkota fired in a superb low drive on 52 minutes.
Yet the Egyptian side showed their resolve in front of their home fans. Ramadan Sobhi rose highest to meet a Mohamed Chibi cross, heading past Sipho Chaine to make it 2-2 just moments later.
The decisive moment came with just six minutes remaining.
After a goalmouth scramble from a corner, Mayele reacted quickest, hammering the ball into the roof of the net to spark wild celebrations among the home faithful.
Despite late pressure from the South African visitors, including efforts from Tshegofatso Mabasa and Relebohile Mofokeng, Pyramids held on to secure a famous win and extend their remarkable unbeaten home record to 23 matches.
The result means Pyramids will face Mamelodi Sundowns, who earlier eliminated Al Ahly on away goals, in what promises to be a mouth-watering final.
For Orlando Pirates, it was a brave effort but one that ultimately fell short, ending their hopes of a second CAF Champions League title.
-CAF
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Al Ahly and Mamelodi Sundowns are set for a blockbuster clash on Friday night at Cairo International Stadium as they battle for a place in the final of the CAF Champions League.
With the first leg in Pretoria ending goalless, everything is still to play for in this highly anticipated second-leg encounter.
Despite Al Ahly’s rich history and dominance in African club football, Sundowns have held the upper hand in recent meetings.
The South African giants are unbeaten in their last eight matches against the Cairo club, scoring 11 goals and conceding just five in that run.
Al Ahly have not defeated Sundowns since May 2021 and will be looking to overturn that trend on home soil.
The hosts have been rock solid at the back in this season’s Champions League, keeping three consecutive clean sheets.
Their defensive resilience will be key once again, especially against a Sundowns side that has failed to score in its last 216 minutes of continental action.
Peter Shalulile, with three goals to his name in the tournament, remains the Brazilians’ biggest threat up front.
Midfielder Emam Ashour has been pivotal to Al Ahly’s campaign, scoring five times — joint-highest in the competition — and will be expected to spark the attack once more.
Home advantage could prove crucial for the Egyptians.
They are unbeaten in their last six home games across all competitions and boast three wins from four home matches in this CAF Champions League campaign.
Sundowns, meanwhile, have struggled on the road, managing just one win in four away matches this season.
With a place in the final at stake, both sides will be pushing to make their mark in what promises to be a high-stakes, high-intensity clash under the Cairo lights.
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