By Kunle Solaja.

Zambia’s Power Dynamos and Nigeria’s Rivers United square off in a crucial CAF Champions League encounter that could shape the direction of their continental campaigns, with both sides seeking to recover from their earlier two losses as the group phase gathers intensity.

On matchday 1, Nigeria’s Rivers United lost 3-0 away to Egypt’s Pyramids and followed with a 2-1 home loss to Morocco’s RS Berkane. Zambia’s Power Dynamos have also had a poor head start in the six-match campaign.

Like Rivers United, they lost their opening match 3-0, this time to Morocco’s RS Berkane and followed with a 1-0 home loss to champions, Pyramids of Egypt.

In essence, when both Power Dynamos and Rivers United clash this Saturday, each of the two teams will be seeking their first point in the league series.

For the Zambians, the Power Dynamos return to familiar territory with confidence drawn from their strong home pedigree that was breached by Egypt’s Pyramids.

Traditionally difficult to break down on Zambian soil, the Kitwe-based side relies on tactical discipline, physical strength and quick transitions to unsettle visiting teams. Their home crowd is expected to play a key role as they look to turn territorial advantage into valuable points.

Rivers United, meanwhile, arrive with continental experience and a growing reputation as one of Nigeria’s most organised club sides. Known for their compact defensive structure and pace on the counter, the Port Harcourt outfit will be aiming to manage the game intelligently, aware that even a point away from home could prove decisive in a tightly contested group.

The Nigerian champions will look to their attacking outlets and midfield control to neutralise Power Dynamos’ physical approach, while remaining wary of set-piece situations and second-ball duels, areas where the hosts are particularly dangerous.

With qualification stakes rising and little separating the two teams on paper, the match promises a tactical contest marked by caution, intensity and moments of attacking ambition. For both Power Dynamos and Rivers United, the outcome could be pivotal in determining who stays firmly in the hunt for progression in the CAF Champions League.

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Al Ahly climbed to the summit of CAF Champions’ League Group B after Mahmoud Hassan Trezeguet scored twice to secure a 2-0 victory over Tanzania’s Young Africans in Alexandria on Friday night.

The Egyptian giants made their decisive moments count at the Borg El Arab Stadium, with Trezeguet’s goals either side of half-time extending Al Ahly’s unbeaten run in the group stage and moving them clear at the top of the standings.

Despite the outcome, it was Young Africans who began the contest on the front foot. The Tanzanian side showed no sign of being overawed by the occasion, troubling Al Ahly early through Allan Onkell and a series of swift counter-attacks.

Al Ahly goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir was called into action inside the opening 15 minutes, producing a sharp save before Yasser Ibrahim cleared the danger as the visitors threatened to take control.

While Al Ahly enjoyed the bulk of possession, clear chances were scarce until stoppage time at the end of the first half. Their first real opening proved decisive.

Mohamed Hany swung in an inviting cross from the right and Trezeguet rose above his marker to guide a header into the net, the ball slipping under the Young Africans goalkeeper’s hand to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.

Young Africans continued to press after the restart and went close again when a low drive nearly caught Shobeir out, but the Al Ahly keeper reacted smartly to preserve the advantage.

As the second half wore on, Al Ahly asserted greater control and sealed the result in the 75th minute. Trezeguet collected the ball inside the penalty area, shifted it onto his right foot and fired a powerful finish into the net to complete his brace and underline his growing influence in the competition.

Young Africans almost pulled one back late on, only for Shobeir to produce another fine save, while Al Ahly passed up opportunities to add a third goal in the closing stages.

The victory lifts Al Ahly to seven points from three matches, placing them top of Group B, while Young Africans remain second on four points as the group edges towards its decisive phase.

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Mamelodi Sundowns and Sudanese giants Al-Hilal Omdurman played out an absorbing 2-2 draw in their CAF Champions League Group B encounter on Friday night, a result that keeps both sides firmly in contention for qualification.

The match at Loftus Versfeld ebbed and flowed, producing moments of quality and drama as momentum swung between the two teams.

Sundowns began with early intent but were stunned in the 15th minute when Omer Abdelraziq punished a rare lapse in the home defence, arriving unmarked at the near post to power home the opener for Al-Hilal.

The response from the South African champions was immediate. Just five minutes later, Arthur Sales restored parity, finishing calmly from close range after Nuno Santos expertly switched play to expose the Al-Hilal backline.

The remainder of the first half developed into a tactical battle, with Sundowns dominating possession but struggling to break down a compact and disciplined Al-Hilal defence. The visitors were forced into an early change before the interval when Ousmane Diouf was withdrawn through injury.

Sundowns eventually found a breakthrough midway through the second half, capitalising on a cleverly worked short corner. Teboho Mokoena was released on the edge of the area and unleashed a fierce drive into the near corner to give the hosts the lead.

However, their advantage proved short-lived. Just six minutes later, Abdelraziq struck again, sliding home from a low cross to complete his brace and draw Al-Hilal level once more.

The visitors were reduced to ten men late on after Emmanuel Flommo was sent off, but Sundowns were unable to capitalise on their numerical advantage as Al-Hilal held firm to secure a valuable point.

The draw leaves both teams well placed in Group B, with qualification still very much in their sights as the CAF Champions League campaign continues.

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