CAF Champions League

CAF CHAMPIONS’ LEAGUE: AHLY COACH CARTERON ASKS FOR PROTECTION IN TUNISIA

Published

5 years ago

November 3, 2018

Patrice Carteron, the French coach of the ninth African title-seeking Al Ahly of Egypt has called for special protection for his club as they head to Tunis for the return leg of the CAF Champions’ League.nn nnRecurring champions, Ahly, head for the return leg with a two-goal advantage following Saturday night’s 3-1 defeat of Esperance in Alexandria.nn nnAccording to Egyptian publication, Ahramonline, Carteron said his team will fight in the return match against Esperance in Tunisia to clinch the African Champions League title.nn”We delivered a good match and managed to get this comfortable win,” Carteron said in the press conference after the match.nnThe Reds are now favourites to win a ninth crown following the comfortable first-leg advantage. The second leg takes place in Rades next Friday.nn”We will fight in the second leg in Tunisia to return with the title. We will be facing a respectable team and we will have the proper preparation,” the Ahly coach explained.nn”We had many chances in the first leg, but we should be stronger in the return match. Our players are experienced enough to deal with the awaited atmosphere in Tunisia,” he added.nnCarteron also said some sad incidents spoiled the joy of the victory after the match. He was hit by the foot of one of Esperance players, while the Tunisian fans insulted Ahly players.nn”We will ask for special protection for our team in Tunisia. I hope the Tunisian government will take effort to make the confrontation a football match, not a war in the stands,” the coach said.nn”We will have much concentration in the coming days. I told the players that the final is from two legs. I have confidence in my players and also in their determination to return with the title,” the Ahly coach concluded.nn nn

CAF Champions League

CAF Champions League narrows to four teams

Published

2 weeks ago

April 7, 2024

Kunle Solaja

CAF Champions League Quarter-Finals journey mapped out

From the original 54 teams from 42 countries that began the race last year, the CAF Champions League has now narrowed to four teams as a whopping 50 have been eliminated.

The four elite clubs in the semi-finals are Al Ahly of Egypt, Esperance Sportive de Tunis of Tunisia, South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns and TP Mazembe of DR Congo.

Title holders and record champions Al Ahly are still on track to defend their title as they beat Simba SC in Cairo to secure their place while four-time winners Esperance Sportive de Tunis were made to labour hard against Asec Mimosas of Cote d’Ivoire.

The reigning African Football League (“AFL”) Champions and 2025/16 winners Mamelodi Sundowns were pushed to the end by Tanzania’s Young Africans in South Africa.

Five-time winners TP Mazembe of DR Congo pulled one of the best performances this weekend with a 2-1 away win over Atletico Petroleos of Luanda after the first leg ended goalless.

The semis will be played on home and away basis on 19-20 April 2024 (first leg) with the Second Leg scheduled for 26-27 April 2024.

In the first semi-final, Al Ahly (Egypt) will play TP Mazembe (DR Congo) in what promises to be a thrilling encounter. Esperance Sportive de Tunis will play Mamelodi Sundowns in the second semi-final.

CAF will announce the dates and kick-off dates in due course.

CAF Champions League

Ahly Edge Closer To CL Semifinals With Narrow Victory Over Simba –

Published

3 weeks ago

March 30, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Ahly Edge Closer To CL Semifinals With Narrow Victory Over Simba -

Egyptian giants Ahly took a significant stride towards securing a spot in the CAF Champions League semifinals following their hard-fought 1-0 win against Tanzania’s Simba on Friday, thanks to an early goal by midfielder Ahmed “Koka” Nabil.

Right from the start, the hosts launched relentless attacks, aiming to find an early breakthrough. However, Ahly’s resolute and well-organized defense thwarted all of their attempts.

Simba’s first notable chance came when midfielder Sadio Kanouté headed a cross from Clatous Chama following a corner, but his effort sailed over the bar from close range.

Just four minutes into the game, Ahly defender Mohamed Hany found himself in possession on the right side of Simba’s field. He cut inside and delivered a cross that was mishandled by the defense, leading to a powerful shot from Koka. The ball ricocheted off the head of the Simba goalkeeper, struck the post, and ultimately found the back of the net.

Despite Simba’s control of the match, as they pushed forward in search of an equalizer, Ahly’s solid defense and the heroics of goalkeeper Mostafa Shobier denied them any scoring opportunities. Ahly relied on swift counterattacks but their attempts to extend their lead fell short.

Shobier produced a magnificent save in the 39th minute, blocking Che Malone’s right-footed shot from the center of the box. He came to the rescue again just before halftime, denying Sadio Kanouté’s right-footed shot from the right side of the box and turning it into a corner.

In injury time, Shobier made another brilliant save, stopping Saïdi Ntibazonkiza’s close-range effort, which rebounded to Shomari Kapombe, who shot the ball high over the bar.

In the second half, Simba continued to dominate proceedings but failed to find the equalizing goal despite their persistent efforts.

Ahly coach Marcel Koller made a tactical double substitution in the 67th minute, introducing Reda Slim for Hussein El-Shahat and Taher Mohamed Taher in place of Percy Tau.

The move injected new energy into Ahly’s attack, with the Moroccan talisman creating two opportunities for the Red Devils.

Koller later made another double substitution, bringing on Kahraba for Modeste and Afsha for Attia.

In injury time, Kahraba had a chance to extend Ahly’s lead when he received a long ball from Afsha, but he struggled to control it. A minute later, Kahraba received a cross from Slim and entered the box, but once again his finishing touch eluded him.

With this narrow victory, Ahly now hold the advantage and move closer to securing a spot in the semifinals, with the second leg taking place in Cairo on Friday.

-Ahram

CAF Champions League

Oldest Club In Tunisia Looking At Reclaiming Continental Glory –

Published

3 weeks ago

March 29, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Oldest Club In Tunisia Looking At Reclaiming Continental Glory -

Esperance Sportive de Tunis celebrating 105 years of existence
Four continental titles to their name and looking to add their fifth
Miguel Cardoso to possibly end continental trophy drought

It has been almost five years since Tunisian giants, Esperance Sportive de Tunis tasted continental success when they lifted the CAF Champions League trophy.

What was their fifth CAF Champions League title, has since been their last and for their high standards, this is something the Tunisians will be looking at overturning this season, starting with the two-legged Quarter-Finals clash with former champions Asec Mimosas of Cote d’Ivoire.

With more than a 100-year history, the oldest club in Tunisia famous for its red and yellow is certainly one to look out for in this season’s edition of the CAF Champions League as they kick start their knockout stage on Friday 29 March with the return leg in Abidjan scheduled for 05 April.

Brief History

Esperance Sportive de Tunis was formed in 1919 and is regarded as the oldest football club in Tunisia, with 105 years to their rich history. They play their home matches at the Stade Hammadi Agrebi in Brades which boasts 60 000 capacity seating.

Local titles

Esperance Tunis is considered the most decorated club in Tunisia, having won the local league title 32 times, the Tunisian Cup 15 times, and the Tunisian Super Cup 6 times.

Continental journey

The Tunisians have four CAF Champions League titles as well as one CAF Super Cup which dates back to 1995.

Coach: Miguel Cardoso

Esperance appointed Portuguese coach, Miguel Cardoso in January. The 51-year-old brings a wealth of experience to the club, having worked in several clubs as an assistant coach. These include Braga SC, Sporting Lisbon, Deportivo La Coruña and Shakhtar Donetsk.

Key player: Mohamed Amin Tougai

The Algerian defender, Mohamed Amine Tougai, is considered the pillar of strength in the Tunisian defense since joining the club back in 2019. Strong and good in arial duels, Tougai will be instrumental in helping his team keep clean sheets in these crucial stages of the competition.

-CAF