Giants chase quarterfinal berths in CAF CL

Fousseny Coulibaly of Esperance challenges Augustine Mulenga of Orlando Pirates during the CAF Champions League

Tuesday Feb 12, 2019. 09:15

Today is Matchday 4 in the group stage of the 2018/19 CAF Champions League, with seven battles taking place across Africa.

With the knockout phase looming into view, today sees likes of Mamelodi Sundowns, TP Mazembe and Al Ahly looking to advance into (or at least move to within touching distance of) the knockout phase of Africa’s premier club competition.

Sundowns, who currently top Group A on six points alongside Wydad Casablanca, will be looking to complete a ‘double’ over Ivorian giants ASEC Mimosas when the teams meet in Abidjan.

The Brazilians beat the West Africans 3-1 in Pretoria earlier this month and will be confident of another three-point haul to remain in charge of the pool, while their main rivals Wydad are favourites to do the same when they host Nigeria’s Lobi Stars in Rabat.

Orlando Pirates face an exceptionally tough test when they play away to reigning African champions Esperance de Tunis in a battle for top spot in Group B.

The teams drew 0-0 in Soweto on the first weekend of February, leaving the ‘Blood and Gold’ with home advantage this time around as they seek to take charge of the pool.

Group C could well be wrapped up completely in the evening game between Club Africain and TP Mazembe in Rades.

With the earlier disqualification of Ismaily, successive wins for CS Constantine and Mazembe’s massive 8-0 win over Africain last weekend, the group is primed for a second Ravens win to see them and Constantine mathematically secure qualification for the quarterfinals.

In Group D, Egyptian giants Al Ahly could seal progression with two games to spare if they defeat Simba SC in Dar es Salaam (the teams’ first meeting in Alexandria ended 5-0 in favour of the North Africans) and AS Vita don’t lose the other pool match away to JS Saoura in Bechar, Algeria.

CAF Champions League fixtures
All times CAT

Tuesday 12 February
15:00: Esperance de Tunis v Orlando Pirates
15:00: Horoya AC v Platinum FC
15:00: Simba SA v Al Ahly
18:00: ASEC Mimosas v Mamelodi Sundowns
18:00: Club Africain v TP Mazembe
21:00: Wydad Casablanca v Lobi Stars
21:00: JS Saoura v AS Vita