The fifth round of the CAF Champions League group stage concludes on Sunday evening (19:00 GMT) with a clash between Group A leaders Al-Hilal Omdurman and Tanzania's Young Africans in Mauritania. A draw against MC Alger last Sunday secured qualification to the quarterfinals for Hilal who now face a Yanga team that needs a draw or victory to remain in the chase for the knockout stages.
Group A Table
GP | Points | |
Al-Hilal Omdurman | 4 | 10 |
MC Alger | 5 | 8 |
Young Africans | 4 | 4 |
TP Mazembe | 5 | 2 |
Al-Hilal
This edition of the CAF Champions League is another feather in the cap for Hilal coach Florent Ibengé whose team will compete among the final eight clubs in the knockout stages despite being based away from home in Mauritania. The Congolese tactician has relaxed the pressure a bit on his team ahead of Sunday's match and is embracing the opportunity to test his players against an opponent that is desperate for a result.
The club is showing some signs of weakness when Ibengé rotates his players for league matches in Mauritania's top division Super D1 but otherwise the results have gone their way. With plenty of stability in the defensive line and rising Ivorian talent Issa Fofana in the goal, Hilal are always a difficult team to break down with excellent fullbacks Steven Ebuela and Khadim Diaw providing attacking energy on the flanks.
In past years the attack depended too much on Sudan national team captain Mohamed Abdelrahman but now there is room for growth behind the striker. Young winger Jean-Claude Girumugisha continues to produce timely moments of brilliance and Malian starlet Adama Coulibaly is another player to watch. However these young players are prone to inconsistency which makes the presence and contributions of Sudan national team attackers Yaser Mozamil and Walieldin Khidir important.
Young Africans
The Tanzanian giants have gotten their swagger back under head coach Sead Ramovic but is it too late for their Champions League campaign? Yanga have recovered from a difficult start in Group A but now need at least a point away from home on Sunday to remain in the hunt for qualification to the quarterfinals. Ramovic said his team is in a strong physical and mental state for the match while the club's media officer said the Citizens encountered no travel difficulties to Mauritania.
After striker Prince Dube's crucial late equalizer in a 1-1 draw with TP Mazembe, Yanga utilized a stretch of matches against weak domestic opponents to accumulate 16 goals in 4 matches before dispatching Mazembe at home. Dube has performed well but the story is 21-year-old attacker Clement Mzize whose return to form is an important factor in Yanga's recent push. Last season's star Stephane Aziz Ki is also finding his stride and Pacome Zouzoua continues to be influential in the midfield.
The defense is secure in the center and at the goalkeeping position where Djigui Diarra is back to full health. However the fullback position can be a weakness for Yanga who require strong defensive performances from their wide defenders. The spine of the team remains formidable since the return of Ugandan midfielder Khalid Aucho who forms a disciplined and hard working partnership with Tanzania national team player Yahya Mudathir.
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