Reigning African kings Al Ahly enter CAFCL group stage

by Graeme Jackson

Thursday Feb 17, 2022. 16:00

The CAF Champions League group stage will feature eight Matchday 2 fixtures across Friday 18 and Saturday 19 February 2022, headlined by the return of the competition’s current title holders, Al Ahly.

The Egyptian heavyweights missed the first round of group stage games due to their participation in the FIFA Club World Cup, where they claimed bronze medals, and they will be eager to put points on the board in Group A when they face Sudan’s Al Hilal in an away fixture early on Friday evening.

Despite the achievement of finishing third at the CWC, Ahly coach Pitso Mosimane says neither he nor his team will rest on their laurels.

“I am not happy despite winning the bronze medal. I wanted one of a different colour this time, but after all, we made a huge achievement to Al Ahly and Egypt,” Mosimane explained.

“The positive thing is that we played against all circumstances. We came here with a lot of absences and injuries, such as Mohamed El-Shennawy, Percy Tau, and Akram Tawfik, but we showed a great spirit. For me, this year’s medal is better than last season’s.”

Friday night also sees Group B co-leaders ES Setif and Raja Casablanca face off in a North African derby in Algeria, while South Africa’s AmaZulu and Guinea’s Horoya FC will both be looking to put their first points on the board when they meet in Durban.

Saturday afternoon sees Sudan’s Al Merrikh host Mamelodi Sundowns, with the latter side looking to pick up where they left off in a 1-0 win over Al Hilal last weekend, while Petro de Luanda will welcome heavyweights Wydad Casablanca for a key Group D clash.

The Angolan side claimed the shock result of Matchday 1 when they held Zamalek 2-2 in Cairo, and coach Alexander Santos will be hoping for another strong showing when the Moroccan club comes to Luanda.

“It was a difficult game against Zamalek. It was an honour to coach this group of players and I’m proud of what we did. Getting a point from Zamalek is a very good thing,” said Santos.

He added, “The group is very strong and we will fight to qualify for the next round.”

The early-evening kick-offs see Botswana’s Jwaneng Galaxy hosting Tunisia’s Etoile du Sahel in Group C, while Sagrada Esperanca will welcome Zamalek in the other Group D showdown.

The action wraps up in Algeria on Saturday night with a potentially explosive clash between CR Belouizdad and Esperance de Tunis in Group C.

CRB coach Marcos Paqueta felt his side should have claimed all three points when they faced Etoile du Sahel last weekend, and will be looking for them to complete the job against another Tunisian opponent this time around.

“At the end of the game, we had a good opportunity to get the three points with this penalty whistled in our favour, but unfortunately we failed to turn it into a goal,” said Paqueta. “It’s a shame but I still congratulate my players who played a decent game.”

CAF Champions League, Matchday 2 fixtures

Times CAT

Friday 18 February

18:00: Al Hilal v Al Ahly

21:00: ES Setif v Raja Casablanca

21:00: AmaZulu v Horoya AC

Saturday 19 February

15:00: Al Merrikh v Mamelodi Sundowns

15:00: Petro de Luanda v Wydad Casablanca

18:00: Jwaneng Galaxy v Etoile du Sahel

18:00: Sagrada Esperanca v Zamalek

21:00: CR Belouizdad v Esperance de Tunis