Previewing Sunday’s CAF Champions League action

by Scent ition

Sunday Mar 18, 2018. 09:00

The final berths in the group stage of the 2018 CAF Champions League will be decided on Sunday, March 18, with seven matches across the continent.

The day’s action begins in Kano, Nigeria, where hosts Plateau United have the tough task of overturning a 4-2 deficit against Tunisian giants Etoile du Sahel, and will be followed by a clash in Kinshasa where DRC’s AS Vita are 1-0 down against Moroccan contenders Difaa El Jadidi.

Esperance de Tunis will fancy their chances of taking control of their tie against Kenya’s Gor Mahia (which is locked at 0-0 ahead of the return game in Rades), while 2016 champions Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa are in the same position ahead of hosting Rwanda’s Rayon Sports, and Ivorian giants ASEC Mimosas host Zambian side Zesco United with a 1-0 lead from the first game.

The final two matches of the day see Sudanese and Algerian giants Al Hilal and ES Setif looking to overturn first-leg deficits at home to West African opposition. Hilal are 2-0 down against AS Togo Porto, while Setif welcome Ghanaian champions Aduana Stars and need to come from 1-0 behind to advance.

The seven aggregate winners will complete the group stage line-up, with the draw set to take place on March 21. The group stage runs from early May to late August.

CAF Champions League fixtures, March 18

First-leg scores in parenthesis, all times CAT

Plateau United v Etoile du Sahel (2-4) – 15h00

AS Vita v Difaa El Jadidi (0-1) – 15h30

Esperance de Tunis v Gor Mahia (0-0) – 17h00

ASEC Mimosas v Zesco United (1-0) – 18h00

Mamelodi Sundowns v Rayon Sports (0-0) – 19h00

Al Hilal v AS Togo Port (0-2) – 19h30

ES Setif v Aduana Stars (0-1) – 20h00

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