Africa’s heavyweight football clubs will slug it out in the CAF Champions League this midweek, as the quarterfinals get underway with first-leg matches across the continent on Tuesday.
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South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns will be first up on the card, as they welcome Tunisia’s Esperance to the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria for an afternoon kick-off.
The Brazilians are hungry to win a second continental crown to add to their 2016 triumph, but dealing with fixture congestion and injuries has massively affected their preparations for the visit of the Blood and Gold.
“If I was the coach of any team, or any coach playing an international match, champions league match, we represent South Africa, not just the club,” said Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso (who will be coming up against a former team in this quarterfinal tie) in complaining against having to play a catch-up domestic cup match this past weekend.
Tuesday evening brings two games in Cairo and one in Algiers. In the Egyptian capital city, reigning African kings Al Ahly will tackle Sudan’s Al Hilal at the Cairo International Stadium, and at the same time at the 30 June Stadium, Pyramids FC host Morocco’s Armed Forces team, ASFAR.
Al Hilal’s success in the Champions League this season has come about despite a civil war ongoing in Sudan, and playing their ‘domestic’ football in Mauritania, but coach Florent Ibenge insists on full endeavour and effort – with no desire to use their circumstances as an excuse.
“We thought we shouldn't mix the field and what's going on outside. Once on the field, you have to give 200 per cent. That's what we do: we work hard, really hard,” said the Congolese tactician.
In the Algerian capital, MC Alger will take on South African visitors Orlando Pirates. The travelling Buccaneers should be regarded as overall favourites for the tie, according to former coach Roger De Sa (who took them to the 2013 Champions League final).
“Pirates have a chance. I don't think Algerian football is at its best at the moment," De Sa explained. “I believe this is a favourable draw for Pirates. It’s a realistic situation, especially since they are playing away first. They can approach the match cautiously, play their game, and return with the result that they can defend at home.”
CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE MIDWEEK FIXTURES
Quarterfinals, first leg. Times CAT.
Tuesday 1 April
- 15:00: Mamelodi Sundowns v Esperance de Tunis
- 21:00: Al Ahly v Al Hilal
- 21:00: MC Alger v Orlando Pirates
- 21:00: Pyramids FC v ASFAR