Kermit Erasmus of Orlando Pirates evades tackle from Ahmed Fathi of Al Ahly during the 2015 CAF Confederation Cup semifinal, first leg football match between Orlando Pirates and Al Ahly of Egypt at Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa on 26 September, 2015 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
by
Graeme Jackson
Tuesday Oct 06, 2015. 09:54
AfricanFootball.com takes a closer statistical look at the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup finalists.
Champions League: TP Mazembe v USM Alger
The DRC giants have won six of their 12 matches in the Champions League in 2015, with three draws and three losses. They have scored 19 goals and conceded eight.
This will be Mazembe’s first Champions League final since winning back-to-back continental crowns in 2009 and 2010.
In all, Mazembe are four-time champions of Africa: 1967, 1968, 2009 & 2010.
Mbwana Samatta is their leading scorer in the Champions League, having netted six goals.
The Algerian club has won nine of their 14 matches in the Champions League in 2015, with three draws and two losses. They have scored 24 goals and conceded 11.
This will be USMA’s first appearance in the Champions League final (or any CAF final). Their previous best showing was the semifinal of the Champions League in 2003 when they were beaten by Enyimba.
Youcef Belaili is their leading scorer in the Champions League, having netted four goals.
Read: Mazembe book Champions League final spot
Read: Hot from Africa: USMA seal historic qualification
Confederation Cup: Orlando Pirates v Etoile du Sahel
The South African side has won eight of their 12 matches in the Confederation Cup in 2015, with two losses and two draws. They have scored 22 goals and conceded 14
This will be Pirates’ first Confederation Cup final, though they played in the Champions League final as recently as 2013, losing 3-1 on aggregate to Al Ahly (the team they defeated in this year’s semifinals).
Pirates’ only continental success was winning the Champions League in 1995.
Kermit Erasmus and Thamsanqa Gabuza are tied as their leading scorers, with five goals apiece.
The Tunisian side has won seven of their 12 matches in the Confederation Cup in 2015, with three draws and two losses. They have scored 15 goals and conceded nine.
This will be Etoile’s third Confederation Cup final: They defeated FAR Rabat in 2006 and lost to CS Sfaxien in 2008.
Aside from their 2006 Confed Cup title, Etoile have also won the Champions League once (2007), the African Cup Winners’ Cup twice (1997, 2003) and the CAF Cup twice (1996, 2001).
Baghdad Bounedjah is their leading scorer (and the co-leading scorer for the tournament overall) with six goals.
Read: Zamalek boss hails players, blasts referee
Read: Mahamutsa: We did it for the millions
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