Ismaily, Africain out to revive CAFCL hopes

by Staff Reporter

Friday Jan 18, 2019. 15:33

North African counterparts Ismaily and Club Africain will be desperate to revive their respective 2019 Caf Champions League chances when they lock horns in a Group C encounter at Ismailia Stadium in Ismailia on Friday evening.

Kick-off is at 18h00 CAT.

Both teams suffered defeat in their opening group stage fixture with this weekend's hosts having fallen to a 2-0 loss away to 10-man TP Mazembe. The Egyptians missed a penalty and failed to make their man advantage count as the Ravens ultimately prevailed with two late goals in Lubumbashi.

Africain also suffered a similar heartache in their group opener. Abdenour Belkheir scored a late winner for visiting CS Constantine in Sousse as the the Tunisians fell to a 1-0 defeat.

“Losing at home to CS Constantine was tough. But we have to carry on fighting and get a positive result from Ismailia”, said Africain head coach Chiheb Ellili who is targeting all three points in Ismailia this weekend.

Equally, Ismaily boss Cedomir Janevski is eager to right the wrongs suffered by his side in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

“We played well in Lubumbashi, but fell late against an experienced and strong side”, Janevski told the reporters.

“We should have had a draw at least. It’s history now and we will give our all against Club Africain to return on track”.

This will be the third meeting between the two sides following a two-legged showdown in the 1992 African Cup of Champions Clubs which Ismaily won 6-4 on aggregate.