The CAF Champions League group stage concludes this weekend with three of the four groups finishing up on Saturday before Group B takes center stage on Sunday. Groups C and D have confirmed their top two teams who have qualified for the quarterfinals but there still remains the possibility of last minute drama in Groups A & B. Read about the situation in each group below:
Group A
GP | Points | GD | |
Al-Hilal | 5 | 10 | +3 |
MC Alger | 5 | 8 | +2 |
Young Africans | 5 | 7 | -1 |
TP Mazembe | 5 | 2 | -4 |
Fixtures
Saturday: 13:00 GMT
TP Mazembe (DRC) vs Al-Hilal Omdurman (SDN)- Lubumbashi, DR Congo
Young Africans (TZA) vs MC Alger (ALG)- Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Sudanese club Al-Hilal's excellent start carried them to qualification so all the focus shifts to Dar es Salaam where second place and a spot in the quarterfinals is at stake between MC Alger and hosts Young Africans. Hilal will fail to win the group only if they lose and MC Alger win away from home.
MCA coach Khaled Ben Yahia is reportedly going to direct his team to seize the initiative and attempt to win in a match where MCA advance if they avoid defeat. Striker Andy Delort will be trusted to make the difference for the visitors but they will have to worry about a strong Yanga attack that is in peak form with Stephane Aziz Ki and Clement Mzize ready to produce.
Group B
GP | Points | GD | |
AS FAR | 5 | 9 | +4 |
Mamelodi Sundowns | 5 | 8 | +1 |
Raja CA | 5 | 5 | -2 |
Maniema Union | 5 | 3 | -3 |
Fixtures
Sunday: 16:00 GMT
Raja CA (MAR) vs Maniema Union (DRC)- Casablanca, Morocco
Mamelodi Sundowns (RSA) vs AS FAR (MAR)- Pretoria, South Africa
Mamelodi Sundowns could win Group B or they could be eliminated entirely depending on Saturday's result at home against Moroccan club AS FAR. Sundowns advance if they avoid defeat but will be pushing for a decisive victory and top spot. Right back Khuliso Mudau and midfielder Bathusi Aubaas are back from suspension to give the hosts a boost against AS FAR who have not lost a match since early November.
The situation is rather dire for Raja who must win to have any chance of reaching the quarterfinals. The Green Eagles need Sundowns to lose at home and then overtake them on the goal difference with a victory against Congolese visitors Maniema Union. Sundowns and Raja are tied in the head-to-head record tiebreaker making goal difference the tiebreaker if the teams end tied on points.
Group C
GP | Points | GD | |
Orlando Pirates | 5 | 11 | +5 |
Al Ahly | 5 | 10 | +8 |
CR Belouizdad | 5 | 6 | -5 |
Stade d'Abidjan | 5 | 1 | -8 |
Fixtures
Saturday: 16:00 GMT
Al Ahly (EGY) vs Orlando Pirates (RSA)- Cairo, Egypt
CR Belouizdad (ALG) vs Stade d'Abidjan (CIV)- Algiers, Algeria
Now we begin the groups who have decided their qualified teams for the quarterfinals but still have the position of group winner to resolve. It has been a stellar campaign for Orlando Pirats and now Jose Riveiro's team faces its biggest test in Cairo against defending champions Al Ahly. Without the threat of elimination it is a perfect test for Pirates' strong combination of youth and experience as they look forward to the quarterfinals.
Group D
GP | Points | GD | |
Espérance ST | 5 | 10 | +6 |
Pyramids FC | 5 | 10 | +4 |
Sagrada | 5 | 5 | -4 |
Djoliba | 5 | 2 | -6 |
Fixtures
Saturday: 19:00 GMT
Espérance ST (TUN) vs Sagrada (ANG)- Tunis, Tunisia
Pyramids FC (EGY) vs Djoliba (MLI)- Cairo, Egypt
Despite their dramatic comeback victory against Espérance a couple of weeks ago, Pyramids FC are still behind in the head-to-head tiebreaker with the Tunisian giants. The North African clubs were long predicted to be the two teams to qualify out of Group D and both are heavy favorites to win on Saturday, leaving Espérance as the likely winners of the group if the Blood and Gold take care of business in Tunis on Saturday evening.
Comments