Thrilling climax in Caf mini-league
A dramatic climax is likely in Group A of the Caf Champions League this weekend with three clubs level on eight points as they chase two semifinals places.
Four-time champions TP Mazembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo, twice runners-up Al-Hilal of Sudan and rookies Moghreb Tetouan of Morocco are involved in the fight for survival.
The trio have identical records of two victories, two draws and one defeat so head-to-head records are needed to separate them with Tetouan first, Hilal second and Mazembe third.
But Mazembe are alone among them in having matchday 6 home advantage Saturday with Tetouan the visitors to the 20 000-seat Stade Kamalondo in southern Congolese mining hub Lubumbashi.
Hilal, hoping to join fellow Omdurman outfit Al-Merrikh in the semi-fjnals, are away to out-of-contention Smouha of Egypt, who have lost four consecutive matches after opening with a dramatic triumph.
Amid numerous permutations, the one certainty is that wins for Tetouan, Hilal or Mazembe will seal progress to the penultimate stage of the marquee African Football Confederation (Caf) club competition.
Although the Congolese Ravens boast a home record of 17 wins and six draws in Champions League group maches, they have not impressed in Lubumbashi this season.
After only drawing 0-0 with Hilal, a team handled by France-born former Mali coach Patrice Carteron scraped a 1-0 win over Smouha thanks to a goal from Ivorian Roger Assale.
Tetouan, who lost six-goal leading 2015 Champions League scorer Mouhcine Iajour to a Qatari club after the qualifying stage, have experienced mixed fortunes on the road.
They surrendered a two-goal lead to lose at Smouha before shocking Hilal in Omdurman with the lone goal coming from a penalty converted by Ahmed Jahouh.
Mazembe dominated the first half and Tetouan the second when the clubs fought a goalless draw in Morocco two months ago.
Hilal, beaten finalists twice pre-1997 when it was an exclusively knockout competition and called the CAF Champions Cup, have drawn away to Mazembe and Tetouan.
That should bolster the confidence of a side coached by Tunisian Nabil Kouki as they prepare to confront Smouha in ancient Mediterranean city Alexandria.
Mudather al-Tayeb, Hamid Nizar and Burkina Faso-born Boubacar Kebe have scored three Champions League goals each for Hilal this season.
Cameroonian goalkeeper Maxime Feudjou and a defence marshalled by Saif Masawi have conceded only two goals in 450 minutes of group play.
While tension mounts ahead of the Group A finale, Group B has been settled with USM Alger of Algeria certain to finish first and Merrikh second whatever the outcome of their Friday clash in Omdurman.
Reigning champions Entente Setif, who managed just one win and three goals from five games, have been eliminated and only pride will be at stake when they host Mouloudia El Eulma in an Algerian derby.
Title holders Setif bid farewell
CAF Champions League title holders ES Setif will bid farewell to the competition for 2015 when they play their final Group B outing on Friday. The Algerians will host compatriot team MC El Eulma at Stade du 8 mai 1945 at 21:30 CAT.
It is a ‘dead rubber’ for the two Algerian outfits, who have already bid farewell to a spot in the semifinals of the prestigious tournament.
The ‘Black Eagles’, who are yet to taste victory in front of their home crowd, have managed just a single win in the competition so far, falling to Al Merreikh in Khartoum and twice to USM Alger.
This poor continental record sees second-placed Al Merreikh out of reach for Sétif with one game remaining.
Meanwhile, tournament’s minnows MC El Eulma will be looking to get their first points after suffering five consecutive losses in this group stage.
And club’s new head coach Noureddine Saâdi will use the trip to Sétif to get to know his squad better.
“It is already over for the two teams. But I will definitely use the opportunity of this game against Sétif to field some players I don’t know. That’s going to be like a good friendly,” Saâdi told competition.dz.
USMA look for six wins from six
USM Alger will look to end Group B in the CAF Champions League with a perfect record of six wins from six matches when they tackle Al Merreikh in Khartoum. The fixture will kick off at Al Merreikh Stadium at 19:30 CAT on Friday.
Already assured of top spot in their group and a place in the semifinals of Africa’s foremost club competition, the ‘Red and Black’ travelled to Sudan without several of their key players, rested by coach Miloud Hamdi.
While right-back Mohamed Rabie Meftah is suspended, Nacereddine Khoualed, Hocine Benayada, Brahim Boudebouda, Hocine El Orfi, Hamza Koudri, Kaddour Beldjilali, Youcef Belaïli and Mohamed Seguer have been left behind.
However, the Algerians are determined to get another positive result in Khartoum.
“We are not going there to do tourism but to win the match. The game will not only allow us to beat a record, but will also help us prepare for the next stage of the competition,” midfielder Mohamed Benkhemassa told Le Buteur.
“I believe we have what it takes to achieve a perfect record. It is our objective.”
Meanwhile, Al Merreikh have also booked their ticket for the last four after sealing a second-place finish, and will be eager to take revenge on USMA following their 1-0 defeat in Bologhine in the reverse fixture.
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