CAFCL wrap: Only one quarterfinal spot remains up for grabs

CAFCL wrap: Only one quarterfinal spot remains up for grabs
Esperance Tunis celebrate a goal during the CAF Champions League 2021/22 football match between Jwaneng Galaxy FC and Esperance Tunis held at the Francistown Stadium in Francistown, Botswana on 19 March 2022 ©BackpagePix

by Graeme Jackson

Saturday Mar 19, 2022. 23:05

Matchday 5 of the CAF Champions League wrapped up on Saturday 19 March, with the results of five games across Africa leaving just one quarterfinal berth up for grabs.


Thus far, Mamelodi Sundowns, Raja Casablanca, ES Setif, Esperance de Tunis, CR Belouizdad, Petro de Luanda and Wydad Casablanca have secured progression into the final eight of the premier CAF competition.


The afternoon kick-offs saw already-qualified Petro de Luanda hold Zamalek 0-0 in the Angolan capital to retain their unbeaten status in Group B, while Mamelodi Sundowns wrapped up top spot in Group A with a 4-2 away thrashing of Al Hilal in Omdurman, as goals from Peter Shalulile, Teboho Mokoena and Thapelo Morena (two) ensured the Brazilians will be seeded for the quarterfinal draw.


Group A is the only section where a quarterfinal berth is still available, as Al Ahly and Al Hilal (who will meet in Cairo in early April) compete to finish second behind ‘Downs.


Esperance de Tunis, in the only early-evening game, powered into the last eight with a 3-0 away win over Jwaneng Galaxy in Francistown, surging to 11 points in Group C thanks to goals from Kingsley Eduwo (two) and Anayo Iwuala.


They were joined at the top of the standings (and in securing advancement) by CR Belouizdad, who triumphed 2-0 at home to Etoile du Sahel in a late kick-off in Algiers thanks to strikes from Sofiane Bouchar and Mohamed Belkhir.


In Group B’s late game, also held in Luanda, Wydad Casablanca claimed top spot with a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Sagrada Esperanca.


The hosts led for more than 50 minutes thanks to Joaquim Pacencia’s opener on the half-hour mark, but WAC hit back late on through Zouheir El Moutaraji and Juvhel Tsoumou to move one point clear at the summit of the standings.


The sixth and final round of group stage matches will be held on Friday 1 and Saturday 2 April.


CAF Champions League results, Saturday 19 March


Petro de Luanda 0-0 Zamalek

Al Hilal 2-4 Mamelodi Sundowns

Jwaneng Galaxy 0-3 Esperance de Tunis

Sagrada Esperanca 1-2 Wydad Casablanca

CR Belouizdad 2-0 Etoile du Sahel







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