1.Al Ahly showed their class
Al Ahly needed not to lose in Sudan to be in a better position to progress against Al-Merrekh. The Red Devils’ last two visits to Al-Merreikh was a 3-1 defeat in 2002 and a 2-2 draw in 2021. Hence, Al Ahly required a performance above their usual standard. Percy Tau, Mohammed Sherif and Ahmed Abdelkader did the business for Pitso’s side. They demonstrated that they are the defending champions. The defeat for Al-Merreikh means they are out.
2. Esperance made it six straight quarter-finals appearance
Esperance Tunis has qualified for the quarter-finals stage since the number of the group stage teams was increased from 8 to 16 since 2017. Twice winners of the competition in 2018 and 2018/19 season in the last 6 seasons, Esperance can go all the way to clinch their 3rd in seven seasons. Led by Radhi Jaidi, the former centre back has brought the fear factor and teams will fear Esperance in the knockout stage.
3. Raja Casablanca: the away kings in CAF inter-club competition
Raja’s away victories in the CAF Competitions in the last 4 years: In 2018, Raja won 4-2 against FC Nouadhibou in Mauritania, won 1-0 against Zanaco in Zambia, 1-0 vs ASEC Mimosas in Abidjan, 2-1 vs Cara Brazzaville in Congo,1-0 vs Enyimba in Nigeria, all in the CAF Confederation Cup. In the 2018/2019 season, Raja thrashed AS otoho 4-1 in the CAF Confederation Cup in the group stage.
2019/2020 CCL: Raja won 3-1 vs Al Nasr in Libya in the final of the qualification stage, won 1-0 vs Vita Club in DR. Congo in the group stage.
In CAF Confederation Cup in 2020/2021season: Raja won 18 points in the group stage: winning every single game. 2-0 vs Nkana in Zambia, 3-0 vs Pyramids FC in Egypt and 3-0 vs Namungo in Tanzania in the group stage.
This season, Raja Casablanca in the CAF Champions League qualification against LPRC Oiler in Liberia, the Green Eagles won 2-0. In the group stage, the Moroccan giants have already won 1-0 vs ES Setif in Algeria, 2-0 vs Amazulu in South Africa.
They have indicated to be the best when it comes to winning away from home.
4. Manqoba Brilliant Mngqithi is proven to be among the best.
South African managers are doing pretty well. 4 of the 16 head coaches in the CAF Champions League are from South Africa; Pitso Mosimane (Al Ahly), Manqoba Brilliant Mngqithi (Sundowns), Benni Mccarthy ( Amazulu) and Morena Ramoreboli (Jwaneng Galaxy). South Africa is the country with the most coaches in the competition, the last two have been won by South African manager in Pitso Mosimane for Al Ahly. Manqoba has beaten Pitso home and away and he showed how equipped he is tactically. He needs to win the competition to finally join the table of men.
5. Zanaco eventually won a game in the CAF Confederation Cup
Zanaco ended their winless run in the Confederation Cup by winning 1-0 against CS Sfaxien at home. Boyd Musonda’s 30th-minute strike was enough to prevent Zanaco from an embarrassing campaign. Nevertheless, they are languishing at the bottom of the table. They have scored just 3 goals and conceded 8 in 5 group games.
6. Orlando Pirates ends Saoura’s unbeaten home run.
The Bucs ended Saoura’s 27 months unbeaten record at home. Their last defeat at home came in December 2019 when Bel Abbes in the Algerian Ligue 1 won 1-0 against JS Saoura. Goals from Ntsikelolo Nyauza and Kabelo Dlamini in the second half was enough for Orlando Pirates to make history.
7. Group D is wide open – all to play for in CCC.
This is the points table: Asec Mimosa 9, Berkane 7, Simba 7 and US Gendarmerie 5. RS Berkane will host Asec Mimosas in Morocco and Simba in Tanzania will play host to US Gendarmerie. All 4 teams have a mathematical chance to progress. Just win your game and stand a greater chance of progressing. Week 6 in group D will be exciting.
8. Seyei Sebe Baffour is the only Ghanaian to score in the CCL
30 different players have scored at least a goal in the CAF Champions league. Esperance playmaker Ben Romdhane and Petro Atletico forward Tiago Azulao are leading the top scorer chart with 4 goals apiece. Horoya’s Ghanaian midfielder Sebe Mensah scored the first goal of the 5 goals thriller in Algeria for Horoya against ES Setif. He is the only Ghanaian to score a goal in the group stage of the CCL.
Source: Amakye Ansah
