Connect with us

CAF Champions League

Four clubs reach CAF Champions League second round

blank

Published

on

Patrick Maswanganyi of Orlando Pirates celebrates with teammates in the match against Djabal

The first four clubs to secure tickets to the second round of the Preliminary phase of the  CAF Champions League were confirmed following Friday’s matches.

APR FC (Rwanda), Bumamuru (Burundi), Al-Merrikh (Sudan) and Orlando Pirates (South Africa) all advanced to the next round of the competition after favorable results in their respective return leg fixtures.

APR FC were the first side to secure passage into the next round of the competition after securing a 2-0 victory away from home against Gaadiidka of Somalia to advance 3-1 on aggregate.

In another Friday afternoon clash in Burundi, home side, Bumamuru made light work of Gabon’s CS Bendje in a high scoring encounter where the hosts easily brushed aside their opponents with a 5-1 win to advance 6-2 on aggregate

The victory for the Burundians means they have set up an interesting tie against 2016 champions, Mamelodi Sundowns in the next round.

Advertisement

Moving over to Sudan, Al-Merrikh did just enough to advance further after frustrating Congolese side, AS Otoho to a goalless stalemate, a result that sees the east Africans progress on away goal rule following their 1-1 draw last weekend.

In the evening match on Friday, Orlando Pirates cruised to victory at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto, with 4-0 aggregate over Djabal FC of Comoros.

Following a 1-0 away win in the first leg, the Buccaneers finished off the job in style at their happy hunting ground with a brace from the in-form Zakhele Lepasa, coupled with a stunner from Patrick Maswanganyi to seal an emphatic victory for the former champions who are on a mission to claim their second continental trophy since 1995.

The action continues over the weekend with more premium African football expected as the competition gains exciting momentum.

-Cafonline

Advertisement

 

 

Kunle Solaja is the author of landmark books on sports and journalism as well as being a multiple award-winning journalist and editor of long standing. He is easily Nigeria’s foremost soccer diarist and Africa's most capped FIFA World Cup journalist, having attended all FIFA World Cup finals from Italia ’90 to Qatar 2022. He was honoured at the Qatar 2022 World Cup by FIFA and AIPS.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

CAF Champions League

Pyramids claim maiden African Champions League title

blank

Published

on

blank

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

Advertisement

  Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

Continue Reading

CAF Champions League

CAF Champions League Final: Fact File on the Egyptian Pyramid

blank

Published

on

blank
blank
  1. 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.
  1.  10. Pyramids have kept 3 clean sheets this season, all away, but remain dominant at home

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

Continue Reading

CAF Champions League

CAF Champions League Final: Fact File on Mamelodi Sundowns

blank

Published

on

blank
blank
  1. 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).
  1. 10. A win would make Sundowns the first team since Al Ahly (2012) to win the title after failing to win the home leg.

 Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

Continue Reading

Most Viewed