The fifth round of the CAF Champions League group stage kicks off on Friday (19:00 GMT) in Algiers with a clash in Group A between hosts MC Alger and DR Congo's TP Mazembe. With Sudan's Al-Hilal five points clear at the top of the group, MCA and Mazembe join Tanzania's Young Africans in a fierce battle for second place and a spot in the quarterfinals.
Group A Table
GP | Points | |
Al-Hilal Omdurman | 4 | 10 |
MC Alger | 4 | 5 |
Young Africans | 4 | 4 |
TP Mazembe | 4 | 2 |
MC Alger
The mentality in the camp of the Algerian club is that victory on Friday is essential to their chances of reaching the knockout stages. This will be MCA's final home match of the group stage with a very difficult test against Young Africans in Dar es Salaam following Friday's clash. Further complicating matters is the absence of important central defender and captain Ayoub Abdellaoui who is serving a suspension for yellow card accumulation.
Abdellaoui's usual central partner, Ayoub Ghezala, will be the defensive leader with Abdellaoui's place likely to be taken by Ivorian defender Serge Badjo who has not made an appearance since the beginning of December. Another important absence will be Badjo's compatriot Mohamed Zougrana, a crucial central midfield presence who is set for a longer period out than previously expected due to complications with an injury suffered against Young Africans in December.
However, striker Andy Delort is back from illness giving coach Khaled Ben Yahia a dilemma in selecting between the highly paid but underperforming scorer or in form Soufiane Bayazid. In support is a midfield group with plenty of experience including central midfielders Mohamed Benkhemassa and Akram Bouras. Tayeb Meziani is another experienced player who brings an attacking presence while 20-year-old Amine Messoussa could be in the XI again after assisting Bayazid for the goal in the recent 1-1 draw with Al-Hilal.
TP Mazembe
The Congolese giants are on the outside looking in for a place in the quarterfinals at this point. Conceding a late equalizer in their third match at home against Young Africans was a crucial blow that was followed up by a decisive 3-1 defeat in Dar es Salaam, leaving the Ravens needing a victory away from home. Lamine Ndiaye's team continue to lack offensive star power which is the difference between being an adequate competitor and challenging for the knockout stages.
There is no adequate striker in the Mazembe team, an issue that was highlighted when penalty kick duties were given to goalkeeper Alioune Badara Faty rather than an attacker against Young Africans! Young winger Oscar Kabwit is the leading scorer in Champions League matches with two goals and once again the Ravens will ask the 19-year-old to be a key player on Friday.
Patient Mwamba, long absent due to "psychological issues", returned as a substitute against Yanga and could provide a creative boost in his attacking midfield role if selected. The support system behind the attack remains strong for Mazembe with Faty and his defense performing adequately, also improved by the recent return of Mauritania national team left back Ibrahima Keita.
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