CAF Champions League
Deciding matches for first preliminary round this weekend in CAF Interclub clashes
Confirmation to the second round of the Preliminary stages of both the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup will be decided this weekend, as the return legs of both competitions get underway.
The 2024/25 season of two of Africa’s most sought-after club competitions kicked off to an exciting start last weekend, with clubs across the continent kicking off their continental ambitions.
While the higher ranked clubs and defending champions of both competitions were not in action, the quality of football remains at an all-time high, with the gap gradually narrowing between African club football heavyweights and the rest of the clubs vying for continental glory.
CAF Champions League action on Friday afternoon saw Nigeria’s Enugu Rangers FC playing 1-1 draw at home with US Zilmadjou of the Comoros following last weekend’s 1-0 win for the Nigerians.
Somalia’s Dekadaha face Djibouti’s Arta Solar7 with a comfortable 2-0 first leg win and go into the home leg with a decent advantage that could see them through.
Friday’s marquee tie sees former champions, Orlando Pirates looking to redeem a disappointing performance that saw them draw 0-0 away to Madagascar’s Disciples FC.
They welcome their visitors to the Orlando Stadium where they will be looking at securing a victory.
Other exciting clashes to look out for over the weekend include two ties in Morocco in AS FAR take on Remo Stars of Nigeria, while Raja Casablanca welcomes Niger’s ASGNN FC.
Equally exciting action awaits African football fans in the CAF Confederation Cup this weekend with a number of eye-catching matches to look out for.
Following a closely contested tie in Zimbabwe between Zambia’s Zesco United and Dynamos FC that went 1-0 in favour of the Zimbabweans, Zesco will be aiming at reversing the results in what is primed to be an action-filled encounter.
Last weekend’s four goal-thriller between Togo’s ASCK and AS Fan of Niger concluded with an evenly balanced 2-2 draw, setting up another mouth-watering return leg for this weekend.
In another Southern African derby, Stellenbosch FC who are making their continental debut this season go into their return leg against Eswatini’s Nsingizini Hotspurs carrying a comfortable 3-0 win.
-CAF
Egypt’s Pyramids claimed a deserved 2-1 victory over Mamelodi Sundowns from South Africa. This led to a 3-2 aggregate success. They celebrated their first African Champions League title. This triumph occurred following the second leg of this year’s final at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo on Sunday.
The first leg in Pretoria finished 1-1. Fiston Mayele gave Pyramids the lead on 23 minutes. He profited from a Sundowns defensive error. Ahmed Samy doubled the advantage on 56 minutes. He scored with a header from a free-kick.
Sundowns pulled a goal back through Iqraam Rayners with 15 minutes remaining. One more goal would have given them victory in the tie on the away goals rule. However, Pyramids held firm despite heavy pressure from the visitors.
Pyramids are the fourth Egyptian side to lift the Champions League trophy after record 12-time winners Al Ahly, Zamalek, and Ismaily. Meanwhile, 2016 champions Sundowns head to this month’s Club World Cup in the United States on a low note.
-Reuters
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- 1. Pyramids aim to become the first new CAF Champions League winner since Sundowns (2016), the 13th in the modern era, and the 27th overall.
- 2. This is the 19th Champions League-era final featuring an Egyptian club. Previous teams (Al Ahly 10, Zamalek 1) have won 11 titles.
- 3. Including the pre-Champions League era, this is the 29th final for an Egyptian club, with 18 wins and 10 losses.
- 4. Pyramids have played only 1 of their last 9 matches at home but are unbeaten in their last 23 home games this season (W19 D4) and last 28 overall (W24 D4).
- 5. Pyramids scored in 22 of 23 home games this season; the only blank was a 0-0 draw vs Al Masry.
- 6.This season, they’ve won all 7 home matches, scoring 26 and conceding 6, with one clean sheet. In total, they’ve lost just 1 of 11 home matches in the competition.
- 7. Fiston Mayele leads with 8 goals in 12 matches (5 since group stage); Ibrahim Adel has 6 (also 5 post-group stage).
- 8. Ramadan Sobhi has 5 assists in 9 games (joint-most), plus 2 goals. He’s had major impact off the bench twice.
- 9. Askary Chibi has created 20 chances since the group stage — the most for Pyramids.
- 10. Pyramids have kept 3 clean sheets this season, all away, but remain dominant at home
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- 1. Sundowns are in their third CAF Champions League final (2001, 2016, 2024).
- 2. South African Record: First South African club to reach three finals, surpassing Orlando Pirates (2).
- 3. Sundowns hosted the first leg in all three finals. In 2001, they drew 1-1 at home and lost 2-0 away to Al Ahly.
- 4. Sundowns beat Zamalek 3-0 at home, lost 1-0 away, and won 3-1 on aggregate.
- 5. Sundowns have never scored in an away leg of a Champions League final, conceding five in total.
- 6. The current final marks the second time Sundowns led at home and failed to win (also in 2001).
- 7. A defeat would make Sundowns the first South African side to lose two finals.
- 8. Sundowns are unbeaten in their last 10 matches vs Egyptian opposition (4wins and 6 draws).
- 9. Sundowns are unbeaten in their last 4 visits to Egypt (2 wins and 2 draws).
- 10. A win would make Sundowns the first team since Al Ahly (2012) to win the title after failing to win the home leg.
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