Al Ahly keen to qualify for CAF Champions League final

The second-leg semifinal matches in the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup will headline football in Africa this weekend, as the continent’s heavyweight clubs chase glory.

The evening of Friday 25 April is all about the CAF Champions League, with the return games in Egypt pitting hosts Al Ahly and Pyramids FC against South African visitors Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates, respectively.

The first-leg matches this past weekend both ended 0-0, leaving the North African sides with something of an advantage – though Al Ahly coach Marcel Koller remains cautious ahead of their clash against the Brazilians at the Cairo International Stadium.

“We faced a strong opponent and missed several scoring chances,” Koller said in the wake of the draw in Pretoria. “But we prevented them from taking control at home. The tie is decided over two matches, and we still have the return leg.”

As for Orlando Pirates and their clash against Pyramids at the 30 June Stadium, coach Jose Riveiro knows that only his side can now benefit from the away goals rule.

“Not a bad result considering that the goals away from home can be double,” Riveiro noted. “We have [to have] a very good game in Egypt if we want to go through. But I’m really proud of the boys; yeah, it’s still open.”

On Sunday, the return games in the Confederation Cup see the home sides, Stellenbosch FC of South Africa and Algeria’s CS Constantine, looking to overturn deficits against Simba SC (Tanzania) and RS Berkane (Morocco), respectively.

Stellies have the better shot at turning their tie around, as they are only 1-0 down compared to 4-0 for CSS, but will nonetheless have to produce a memorable performance at the Moses Mabhida Stadium if they are to advance into the final.

“There is belief in one another. The trust in each other is on a higher level,” said Stellenbosch head coach Steve Barker.

CAF Champions League

Friday 25 April
19:00: Al Ahly v Mamelodi Sundowns – LIVE on SuperSport Variety 4
21:00: Pyramids FC v Orlando Pirates – LIVE on SuperSport PSL, SuperSport Variety 4 and
SuperSport Maximo 2

CAF Confederation Cup

Sunday 27 April
16:00: Stellenbosch FC v Simba SC – LIVE on SuperSport Variety 4
19:00: CS Constantine v RS Berkane – LIVE on SuperSport Variety 4