CAF Champions League

LOBI STARS, MAMELODI SUNDOWNS RENEW NIGERIA-SOUTH AFRICA FOOTBALL RIVALRY

Published

6 years ago

January 11, 2019

Keen rivalry between Nigerian and South African teams would yet come to the fore on Friday at the Nnamdi Azikwe Stadium in Enugu where Lobi Stars of Makurdi entertain Mamelodi Sundowns in the Round of 1/16th Total CAF Champions’ League Match Day 1 Group A tie.

Incidentally, Mamelodi Sundowns have won all but one of their four previous CAF Champions League confrontations against Nigerian sides including victories over two legs recorded against Enyimba en route to being crowned the continental champions in 2016.

Earlier in 2001, Sundowns lost 2-0 away to Julius Berger in Lagos but rallied to a 1-0 home win in Johannesburg as such, Lobi Stars’ defender Solomon Kwambe admitted the self-styled Brazilians of South Africa can’t be handled with kid’s gloves.

“Of course, we know so much about Mamelodi Sundowns and they are a team that we can’t take for granted because of their reputation,” the 25-year-old Kwambe told CAFOnline.com

“ Just on Saturday, we saw their game when they beat Kaizer Chiefs 2-1 in their domestic league match and that means we must prepare very well playing against them; especially since this is our first game in the group stage.

“It is important for us to win this particular encounter against Mamelodi Sundowns to boost our confidence because we have two other strong teams in our group; a win will be a good start for us and we can build upon it for our other matches.”

Kwambe, a member of the Super Eagles squad to the 2014 African Nations Championship (CHAN) hosted by South Africa informed he would be sharing tips on how to deal with the visitors with his teammates.

“We know so much about South African teams and I was lucky to have played against the Bafana Bafana at the 2013 Nelson Mandela Challenge where we beat them 2-0 and also in 2014 when we beat them 3-1 in the CHAN Tournament,” explains Kwambe. “ So, I have an idea about South African teams; I know Mamelodi Sundowns’ style of play may not be too different from any South African team and we shall be ready for them on Friday in Enugu.

“Playing in Enugu has been a blessing to Lobi Stars because we have won all our home matches there and I’m expecting the fans to come and cheer us to victory against Mamelodi Sundowns on Friday.”

Meanwhile, former Nigeria international and Lobi Stars’ Team Manager, Barnabas Imenger said the West African side have so far enjoyed support from fans and government officials which would boost their aspiration of going beyond the group stage of the CAF Champions League.

“Of course, we at Lobi Stars go into every game with the objective to win either we are at home or away,” Imenger who played in the 1990s for the Super Eagles told CAFOnline.com

“The match on Friday against Mamelodi Sundowns would not be different; we respect as a former African champions but our priority is to take the three points.

In a related development ahead of the trip to Nigeria, Mamelodi Sundowns’ trainer Pitso Mosimane has hinted about the club’s game plan to ensure qualification from the dreaded Group A that also housed two other former African Champions including ASEC Mimosas of Cote d’Ivoire and Wydad Casablanca of Morocco.

“The most important thing in the Champions League is winning at home,” Mosimane reportedly said on the club’s website. “You must also make sure that in the three games away; you at least get two draws. If you do that, you’re guaranteed qualification in the knockout stage.

“The best thing you can do is winning at home. We have to win at home. With how our games are structured, we’re going to play Wydad in our last match of the group. You don’t want to get to that match needing to get a result.

“You have to do what you need to do as early as possible. You’ve got to have a good start and hit the ground running with your home games,” he explained.

CAF Champions League

Heartbreak for Al Ahly as Sundowns edge to CAF Champions League final on away goals rule

Published

10 hours ago

April 26, 2025

Kunle Solaja

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

Published

10 hours ago

April 26, 2025

Kunle Solaja

Pyramids’ Fiston Mayele celebrates his goal

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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CAF Champions League

Al Ahly, Sundowns brace for Cairo showdown with final spot on the line

Published

1 day ago

April 25, 2025

Kunle Solaja

Sundowns’ Lucas Ribeiro Costa is challenged by Al Ahly’s Ahmed Reda Hashem in the first leg encounter.

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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