Disappointed Young Africans SC supporters during their team's home defeat to Al-Hilal
Photo Credit: Al Hilal SC
The 2024-25 CAF Champions League group stage is off and running on Tuesday with all four groups in action throughout the day. As the matches happen and events occur, Pan-Africa Football will keep you updated on everything:
13:00 GMT
Group A: TP Mazembe (COD) vs. MC Alger (DZA)- Lubumbashi, DR Congo
Group A: Young Africans (TZA) vs. Al-Hilal Omdurman (SDN)- Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Group A is underway with two clubs hosting that are known for their excellent home advantages. TP Mazembe are looking to satisfy their fervent supporters who have not been too impressed with the Ravens attack. Corbeaux host MC Alger who have former Algeria national team striker Andy Delort in the XI today as well as captain Ayoub Abdellaoui. In Dar es Salaam, Young Africans host Al-Hilal in a similar situation with the home supporters expecting goals from an attack that is misfiring lately.
HT:
TP Mazembe 0-0 MC Alger
Young Africans 0-0 Al-Hilal
Hosts Young Africans dominated from the onset but showed little regarding attempts on goal. The Sudanese giants are the happiest of the two after a goalless stalemate in the first interval. The tie’s best chance came after the quarter of the hour with Hilal’s captain Mohammed Abdulrahman shooting wide. The Tanzanina outfit tried to score through talisman Stephane Aziz Ki and will be hoping to changes things in the second half and try to break Hilal’s resilient defense. - Omna Taddele
In Lubumbashi, MC Alger performed well in the first half with Andy Delort's powerful free kick pushed away by Mazembe goalkeeper Alioune Badara Faty around the half hour mark. The home supporters will be expecting a better attacking effort from Mazembe in the second half. - Andrew Olsson
FT:
Young Africans 0-2 Al-Hilal
Al Hilal came out victorious after beating Young Africans 2-0 away. The Blue Wave broke the dead lock after the hour mark through a fantastic individual effort from Malian attaker Adama Coulibaly. The visitors sat back and defended to protect the slender lead and were awarded a second goal in the 90th minute through second half substitute Yasir Mozamil.
Florent Ibenge's charges now top Group A of the CAF Champions League. - Omna Taddele
Video: Adama Coulibaly scores the opening goal in a victory away from home for Al-Hilal
TP Mazembe 0-0 MC Alger
A weak TP Mazembe attack was fully exposed in Lubumbashi where the home supporters left disappointed. A professional performance from MC Alger who will be the more satisfied team after leaving with a point from the infamous fortress of the Stade TP Mazembe. - Andrew Olsson
16:00 GMT
Group C: Al Ahly (EGY) vs. Stade d'Abidjan (CIV)- Cairo, Egypt
Group B: Mamelodi Sundowns (RSA) vs. AS Maniema Union (COD)- Pretoria, South Africa
Group D: Pyramids FC (EGY) vs. Sagrada (ANG)- Cairo, Egypt
Two clubs considered among the favorites to win the competition begin play with South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns and current Champions League holders Al Ahly of Egypt each at home against heavy underdogs. Big spenders Pyramids FC are also highly expected to win at home against Angola's Sagrada as the remaining three groups get underway.
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Al Ahly 3-1 Stade d'Abidjan
By Omna Taddele: Holders Al Ahly lead comfortably 3-1 in their opening CAF Champions League tie against Ivorian outfit Stade d’Abidjan. African Club of the Century showed their experience to dismantle the club from West Africa and went 3-0 up inside 25 minutes.
The Egyptian club was very strong specially in the right flank and used it to score twice. Kahraba opened the scoring and his striking partner Afsha doubled the lead. Hussein El Shahat also bagged a goal before a header from Stade's Kassoum Kone pulled one back.
Video: Afsha finishes an excellent team movement from Al Ahly
Pyramids FC 1-0 Sagrada
Sagrada have shown the potential to challenge hosts Pyramids in Cairo but a strong start saw Ibrahim Adel open the scoring with a header from a Mohamed Chibi cross. The Egyptian club will look to extend the lead in the second half.
Mamelodi Sundowns 0-0 AS Maniema Union
Sundowns continue to have some issues with efficiency in the attack against visitors Maniema Union who have been well organized defensively. Expect substitutions from Sundowns after using some fringe players in the starting eleven.
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Al Ahly 4-2 Stade d'Abidjan
Kahraba bagged a brace with goals also arriving from Afsha and Hussein El Shahat as the Egyptian giants and reigning African club champions collect three points in Group C opener.
Goals from Kassoum Kone and former TP Mazembe midfielder Roger Assale in either half helped Stade d’Abidjan to challenge the holders whose performance dipped after halftime but the visitors squandered some clear cut chances to potentially take a point from Cairo.
Mamelodi Sundowns 0-0 AS Maniema Union
The decision to use a highly rotated squad backfires on Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi whose side drop points at home against the least fancied team in the group. Maniema Union could have won this match, coming close on a couple of occasions including an opportunity from close range that somehow hit the crossbar. A couple of poor results lately will leave the South African champions searching for solutions.
Pyramids FC 5-1 Sagrada
Pyramids found their finishing boots in the second half to erupt for four second half goals against Sagrada who found a late consolation. Ibrahim Adel scored twice for Pyramids and Mohamed Hamdi's excellent 50th minute strike put the result beyond doubt for the hosts.
Video: Mohamed Hamdi fires in the second for Pyramids early in the second half
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19:00 GMT
Group C: CR Belouizdad (DZA) vs. Orlando Pirates (RSA)- Algiers, Algeria
Group D: Espérance ST (TUN) vs. Djoliba (MLI)- Tunis, Tunisia
Group B: Raja CA (MAR) vs. AS FAR (MAR)- Casablanca, Morocco
Last season's runners-up Espérance begin against Mali's Djoliba who would perform a near miracle to obtain any points today in Tunis. CR Belouizdad host Orlando Pirates in what could be an intriguing clash in Algeria while an all-Moroccan duel appears to be the most competitive fixture between Raja CA and AS FAR.
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CR Belouizdad 0-2 Orlando Pirates
Orlando Pirates surprised the crowd in Algiers after going 2-0 up against hosts CR Belouizdad in the first ever Champions League meeting between the two clubs. The Buccaneers took an early lead through Mohau Nkota, who is making his CAF Champions League debut.
The 20 years old winger doubled the lead in the 27th minute with a magnificent long range effort. The Reds were on back foot for the large part of the duel. Veteran striker Islam Slimani is kept at bay by the Bucs. - By Omna Taddele
Video: Mohau Nkota opens the scoring for Orlando Pirates with an early strike
Espérance 2-0 Djoliba
The Tunisian champions are on their way to a routine victory in Tunis. Youcef Belaïli assisted both goals but the Algerian playmaker was subbed off before halftime due to an apparent injury. It should not impact today's match for EST who are on their way to a comfortable victory.
Video: Youcef Belaïli provides an excellent backheel to set up a goal from Elias Mokwana
Raja CA 0-1 AS FAR
The struggle continues for Raja who went behind close to halftime when AS FAR forward Ahmed Hammoudan got behind the Raja defense and produced a composed finish. Raja have had more opportunities but the organized AS FAR defense kept The Green Eagles out of the goal before striking on the counter attack.
FT:
CR Belouizdad 1-2 Orlando Pirates
A much better second half from the hosts saw CR Belouizdad pull one back through a header from South African summer signing Khanyisa Mayo. The Buccaneers were all out defending for much of the second half. The Algerian outfit tried to use set piece to their advantage but they could not get the equalizer. Orlando Pirates hold firm to register a famous win and sits second following Al Ahly in Group C. - By Omna Taddele
Espérance ST 4-0 Djoliba
Two goals in each half for EST ensures a dominant victory over Malian champions Djoliba who hardly threatened the goal of the hosts. There will be concerns for EST who saw star attacker Youcef Belaïli come off before halftime with an injury after contributing assists on both first half goals.
Raja CA 0-2 AS FAR
An excellent victory away from home for AS FAR, who defended excellently and struck twice on the counter attack against hosts Raja. AS FAR goalkeeper Ayoub El Khayati came up with a massive save from a Sabir Bougrine penalty kick to preserve the one-goal lead for the visitors and his team added a second goal in the final seconds.
Video: AS FAR goalkeeper Ayoub El Khayati saves a penalty kick in the victory at Raja
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