CAF Club wrap: Esperance qualify, Mazembe on course

by Staff Reporter

Sunday Jul 29, 2018. 15:00

Saturday, July 28 saw matchday four of the 2018 CAF Champions League’s group stage completed, with Esperance de Tunis securing progression into the quarterfinals, while TP Mazembe are within touching distance of joining them.

The day’s action began in Kampala, Uganda, where Tunisian giants Esperance de Tunis claimed a 1-0 away win over KCCA to move to 10 points at the top of Group A. The victory, secured by a goal from Haythem Jouini, was enough to claim a place in the quarterfinals for the Blood and Gold.

This was confirmed after Al Ahly won 1-0 away to Botswana’s Township Rollers in Gaborone in the other Group A game, with Salif Coulibaly scoring a towering header late on. The Red Devils are placed second and have a four-point lead over Rollers and KCCA, putting them in a great position to advance alongside Esperance.

TP Mazembe are just one point away from securing a spot in the knockout rounds after they held Group B rivals MC Alger 1-1 in Blida, while Group C is led by Wydad Casablanca on eight points after a 2-0 win at home to Horoya AC.

Yet the vanquished Guineans, Mamelodi Sundowns and AS Togo-Port are all still quarterfinal contention in the most open group in the competition.

Sunday, July 29 sees the continent’s attention turn to the CAF Confederation Cup, with all eight matchday four fixtures taking place.

The action gets underway at 15h00 CAT with a clash between AS Vita and Aduana Stars in Kinshasa which sees the teams battling for ascendancy in Group A. At the same time, UD Songo and Al Hilal will battle to keep their slim hopes alive, and CARA Brazzaville will target a revenge victory over Djoliba in Groups B and C respectively.

At 18h00 CAT we’ll see three regional derbies: in the north, Group B’s Al Masry welcome RS Berkane to Port Said, the west is represented by Williamsville AC hosting Group C rivals Enyimba in Abidjan, and the east sees Group D’s Young Africans hosting Gor Mahia in Dar Es Salaam.

The two evening games take place in North Africa, with Raja Casablanca v ASEC Mimosas in Group A a true clash of heavyweights, while Group D leaders USM Alger will fancy their chances of a second straight win over Rayon Sports.

CAF Champions League results, Saturday 28 July

Group A – KCCA 0-1 Esperance de Tunis
Group A – Township Rollers 0-1 Al Ahly
Group B – MC Alger 1-1 TP Mazembe
Group C – Wydad Casablanca 2-0 Horoya

CAF Confederation Cup fixtures, Sunday 29 July

All times CAT

15h00

Group A – AS Vita v Aduana Stars
Group B – US Songo v Al Hilal
Group C – CARA Brazzaville v Djoliba AC

18h00

Group B – Al Masry v RS Berkane
Group C – Williamsville v Enyimba
Group D – Young Africans v Gor Mahia

21h00

Group A – Raja Casablanca v ASEC Mimosas
Group D – USM Alger v Rayon Sports