CAF Champions League
TYAVKASE: NO MARGIN FOR ERRORS AGAINST WYDAD IN CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE TIE
On Sunday, no quarter would be asked and none would be given when Lobi Stars entertain Wydad Athletic Club of Morocco on Match Day 3 at the Nnamdi Azikwe Stadium.
The match,
originally slated for Saturday is pushed to Sunday as the Enugu stadium venue will
be used for political campaign this Saturday.
According to Cafonline, this much is the prediction of experienced Lobi Stars’
midfielder David Tyavkase, a veteran of many continental cup battles dating
back to his days with Enyimba where he successively won the CAF Champions
League in 2003 and 2004 as well as the Africa Super Cup in 2004 and 2005.
“During my stint with Enyimba, I never played against Wydad but I played
against Raja Club Athletic of Morocco; and generally, we know what most teams
from North Africa can do,” the 34-year-old Tyavkase said in an interview with
CAFOnline.com.
“It is true that Wydad has so far shown good form in this competition but it’s
up to us to stop them on Saturday in Enugu.”
Described as a ‘game changer’ by coach Solomon Ogbeide partly for Tyavkase’s
ability to come off the bench to score vital goals for his side; aside his near
to two decades experience playing at international levels for both club and
country.
Tyavkase said Lobi Stars must be up and running in this weekend’s tie against
their battle-hardened North African visitors with whom they contest for quarter
final tickets in a seemingly tough Group A complete with ASEC Mimosas and
Mamelodi Sundowns.
Incidentally, all the four teams have so far have identical results after they
have each recorded just a win and and lost in previous two matches.
“We have to be very fit and alert throughout the match against Wydad,”
noted Tyavkase, a former Nigerian international who won four (4) domestic
league titles with Enyimba.
“From my experience, the first 45 minutes and 10 minutes into the second half
are the most dangerous periods playing against any team from North Africa; and
we must be very alert because Wydad will come hard on us.
“We need the three points from this encounter because any of the four
teams in the group can go through; I believe we have the team that can play
against the best on the continent.”
Tyavkase who had a brief stint with US Bitam of Gabon en route to Lobi Stars
said the playing body will gird their loins against their Moroccan counterparts
to keep their campaign alive.
“We want to win on Friday in order to be in good position before we travel for
the second leg in Morocco,” noted the midfielder.
Meanwhile, in the other Group A tie billed for Friday, Mamelodi Sundowns hosts
ost ASEC Mimosas at the Loftus Stadium in Pretoria as the competition reaches
the half way mark.
CAF Champions League
VIDEO: Controversial penalty kick remains a talking point in Remo Stars’ elimination
![](https://sportsvillagesquare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Adissa-Abdul-Raphiou-Ligali.png)
But for the questionable penalty kick awarded for AS FAR of Morocco in the 78th minute of the tension-soaked CAF Champions League duel with Remo Stars on Sunday in Rabat, the complexion of the final result as well as the aggregate scorelines may have been different.
Match scoreline stood at 1-1 before the referee, Adissa Abdul Raphiou Ligali of Benin Republic, who was midway to the centre circle suddenly blew his whistle and awarded a penalty kick to the hosts.
Before then, all body contacts had been ruled against Remo Stars. Even, the Moroccans looked amused when the referee, who was off the scene suddenly ran into the penalty area and awarded a penalty kick for an incident, even if it were an infraction, happened outside the penalty box.
The award of the penalty kick and the conversion by El Amine Zouhzouh, literaly sealed Remo Stars thin hope of advancing.
The Nigerian side left it too late as they only came out to attack after their hopes had been sealed.
In starting the crucial match, their lead scorer, Sikiru Alimi and assist master, Sodiq Ismail were brought in only after the damage had been done. It was after the first goal in the 51st minute that Alimi was brought in in the 54th minute.
CAF Champions League
Enugu Rangers to face Angolan sides, G.D. Sagrada Esperança
![](https://sportsvillagesquare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/enugu-rangers.jpg)
Nigeria’s champions, Enugu Rangers have been drawn against Grupo Desportivo Sagrada Esperança of Angola in the next round of the CAF Champions League.
The fixtures come up next month with Enugu Rangers hosting the first leg on 13 September.
The return leg holds on 20 September. Enugu Rangers advanced after eliminating Comoros Islands’ US Zilimadjou.
Grupo Desportivo Sagrada Esperança better known as G.D. Sagrada Esperança advanced after seeing off Saint-Louis Suns United of Seychelles on a 4-0 aggregate.
CAF Champions League
Giants progress in CAF Champions League
![](https://sportsvillagesquare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/GV3AmmUXQAAGb0y.jpg)
The first preliminary round of the CAF Champions League reached its climax on Sunday, with several heavyweight clubs securing their passage to the next stage of Africa’s premier club competition.
In a difficult turnaround, AS FAR Rabat of Morocco overturned a 2-1 first-leg deficit against Nigeria’s Remo Stars, winning 2-0 in Rabat.
Congolese striker Joël Beya broke the deadlock in the 52nd minute, before Zouhzouh sealed the victory with a penalty in the 80th minute, propelling the Moroccan side into the second preliminary round.
Algeria’s CR Bélouizdad continued their impressive form, securing a 1-0 victory over AC Léopards of Congo, thanks to a 24th-minute strike from Benguit.
This win, following their 2-0 first-leg triumph, sets up an intriguing clash with Burkina Faso’s AS Douanes in the next round.
AS Douanes progressed on away goals after two draws against Benin’s Coton FC, highlighting the fine margins in continental competition.
Ghana’s Samartex emphatically stamped their authority on their tie against Cameroon’s Victoria United, winning 1-0 at home to complete a 2-0 aggregate victory.
Isaac Afful’s 8th-minute goal extinguished any hopes of a Cameroonian comeback, setting up a mouth-watering second-round clash with African giants Raja Casablanca.
In other notable results, Cote d’Ivoire champions San Pedro edged past Sierra Leone’s BO Rangers with a 1-0 win, while Congo’s AS Maniema Union held their nerve to defeat Zimbabwe’s Ngezi Platinum on penalties after two goalless draws.
Togo’s ASKO Kara also progressed, beating Equatorial Guinea’s Deportivo Mongomo 1-0 thanks to an early goal from new signing Adam Musah.
However, the day was not without its upsets. FC Nouadhibou of Mauritania, surprise participants in last season’s group stage, were eliminated on away goals by Guinea’s Milo FC.
The second preliminary round promises even more excitement, with matches scheduled from September 13 to 15 for the first legs, and September 23 to 25 for the return fixtures.
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