CAF Champions League
COACH OGBEIDE SURE LOBI WILL OUST KENYA’S GOR MAHIA
Though pitched against one of the storied teams from theEastern part of Africa in Gor Mahia of Kenya, veteran Nigerian coach, Solomon Ogbeide is upbeat Lobi Stars can ride their luck in their CAF Champions League Round 1/16th fixtures.
Edged out at the mini-league stage of the Champions league on their continental cup debut in 2000, Ogbeide on his second spell with Lobi Stars told Cafonline that the Ortom Boys (as they are so nicknamed now) have acquired valuable experiences over the years.
“Of course, we know that Gor Mahia is very big club from Kenya but the business between a big team and small team is the match on the field of play and Lobi Stars is also a big team,” Ogbeide told CAFOnline.com
While the East African side are celebrating their Golden Jubilee this year with a record 17 Kenyan Premier League titles and one African Cup Winners’ Cup under their belt but Ogbeide is not worried that the 37-year-old Lobi Stars sneaked into the continental fray this term when they were declared winners of the inconclusive Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).
“No matter what anyone would say, we consider ourselves worthy champions of theNPFL because we occupied the first position to be declared winners and we proved this was not a fluke when we won the Nigeria Super Cup by defeatingRangers International,” Ogbeide asserted.
Speaking further, Ogbeide said Lobi have the pedigree to give Nigeria good representation: “We (Lobi Stars) have represented Nigeria in this same competition before and we are not leaving any stone unturned as we prepare for this match against Gor Mahia. We just need good preparation to scale through after the two legs.”
Below are excerpts of his interview with CAFOnline.com
Are you comfortably playing the firstleg away to Gor Mahia first?
The draw had already been made and whether they come here first or vice versa is immaterial. It makes no difference to us playing the first leg away to Gor Mahia. We just have to keep our focus. In our last game, we played UMS De Loum at a very short notice away from our base in Makurdi and we still won 2-0 in Enugu. So irrespective of where we play, we want to prepare well and get our job done.
Aren’t you worried that Nigerian clubs have not won the CAF Champions League since Enyimba in 2004 and do you think Lobi Stars can end this cycle?
Our plan is to give Nigeria good representation this year and we are going to give it our best shot. We are not worried because we have all it take s to do well on the continent. We have the personnel in terms of players, sound administrators and we have the support of government and people of Benue State;but above all, we have God which is our major weapon.
You sound so confident but do you honestly think Lobi Stars can go all the way in this competition?
I’m not a pessimist and I believe with what is at our disposal in terms of personnel and support, we can give our country good representation. It’s only when you tried by giving your level best that you can be a winner. We are ready to put in more than our best in order to surmount the challenges and we are prepared to face these challenges.
What is your own coaching philosophy?
My first priority is that football is an entertainment and football must be played according to the rules of the game. The main business is for your team to score goals and you are a winner if you’re able to score more without conceding. As I said earlier that football is about entertainment consequently the fans must have value for their money when they come to the stadium to watch. You must, therefore play some aesthetic football for the fans to have value for their money.
For record purpose, how long have you been in coaching and old are you now?
I have spent some good years on this job as a coach and I have handled quite a number of clubs in Nigeria. I have coached at Bendel Insurance, Warri Wolves,Julius Berger, Sunshine Stars, Akwa United and so forth. This is my second time with Lobi Stars; I was here 10 years ago. I have been on the beat for over two decades now and I’m well trained for it. Apart from being a graduate of physical & health education (human kinetics) from University of Benin, I attended coaching courses at Brazilian Soccer Academy in both Ordinary and Higher Diplomas. I’m also a CAF A Licence holder. Age is just about numbers in as much you are still kicking and ready to do your just fairly well. Age is immaterial because I’m strong enough to do my job.
CAF Champions League
Pyramids claim maiden African Champions League title

Egypt’s Pyramids claimed a deserved 2-1 victory over Mamelodi Sundowns from South Africa. This led to a 3-2 aggregate success. They celebrated their first African Champions League title. This triumph occurred following the second leg of this year’s final at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo on Sunday.
The first leg in Pretoria finished 1-1. Fiston Mayele gave Pyramids the lead on 23 minutes. He profited from a Sundowns defensive error. Ahmed Samy doubled the advantage on 56 minutes. He scored with a header from a free-kick.
Sundowns pulled a goal back through Iqraam Rayners with 15 minutes remaining. One more goal would have given them victory in the tie on the away goals rule. However, Pyramids held firm despite heavy pressure from the visitors.
Pyramids are the fourth Egyptian side to lift the Champions League trophy after record 12-time winners Al Ahly, Zamalek, and Ismaily. Meanwhile, 2016 champions Sundowns head to this month’s Club World Cup in the United States on a low note.
-Reuters
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CAF Champions League
CAF Champions League Final: Fact File on the Egyptian Pyramid


- 1. Pyramids aim to become the first new CAF Champions League winner since Sundowns (2016), the 13th in the modern era, and the 27th overall.
- 2. This is the 19th Champions League-era final featuring an Egyptian club. Previous teams (Al Ahly 10, Zamalek 1) have won 11 titles.
- 3. Including the pre-Champions League era, this is the 29th final for an Egyptian club, with 18 wins and 10 losses.
- 4. Pyramids have played only 1 of their last 9 matches at home but are unbeaten in their last 23 home games this season (W19 D4) and last 28 overall (W24 D4).
- 5. Pyramids scored in 22 of 23 home games this season; the only blank was a 0-0 draw vs Al Masry.
- 6.This season, they’ve won all 7 home matches, scoring 26 and conceding 6, with one clean sheet. In total, they’ve lost just 1 of 11 home matches in the competition.
- 7. Fiston Mayele leads with 8 goals in 12 matches (5 since group stage); Ibrahim Adel has 6 (also 5 post-group stage).
- 8. Ramadan Sobhi has 5 assists in 9 games (joint-most), plus 2 goals. He’s had major impact off the bench twice.
- 9. Askary Chibi has created 20 chances since the group stage — the most for Pyramids.
- 10. Pyramids have kept 3 clean sheets this season, all away, but remain dominant at home
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CAF Champions League
CAF Champions League Final: Fact File on Mamelodi Sundowns


- 1. Sundowns are in their third CAF Champions League final (2001, 2016, 2024).
- 2. South African Record: First South African club to reach three finals, surpassing Orlando Pirates (2).
- 3. Sundowns hosted the first leg in all three finals. In 2001, they drew 1-1 at home and lost 2-0 away to Al Ahly.
- 4. Sundowns beat Zamalek 3-0 at home, lost 1-0 away, and won 3-1 on aggregate.
- 5. Sundowns have never scored in an away leg of a Champions League final, conceding five in total.
- 6. The current final marks the second time Sundowns led at home and failed to win (also in 2001).
- 7. A defeat would make Sundowns the first South African side to lose two finals.
- 8. Sundowns are unbeaten in their last 10 matches vs Egyptian opposition (4wins and 6 draws).
- 9. Sundowns are unbeaten in their last 4 visits to Egypt (2 wins and 2 draws).
- 10. A win would make Sundowns the first team since Al Ahly (2012) to win the title after failing to win the home leg.
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