It’s time for the quarter-finals of the CAF Champions League, with the continent’s top eight teams competing for a place in the last four! Zoom on this enticing program.
Admittedly, the African Champions League clearly does not enjoy the same rating as its European counterpart. However, it is clearly worth the detour. Firstly because it is a historic competition, which was born in 1964. Secondly, because it is the Champions League, therefore, as its name suggests, it brings together the best teams on the continent. And as we know, Africa is a land of footballing talents. Without even mentioning the world superstars Sadio Mané, Victor Osimhen or Mohamed Salah, it is full of very talented but often overlooked players. Watching this competition can therefore be an opportunity to see the star players of the continent’s clubs at work as well as future nuggets. Between us, what could be more satisfying than discovering before everyone else who will be the African stars of tomorrow? Another argument, and not the least: the program of quarter-finals of this 2022-2023 edition particularly worth a visit. We explain why by presenting each poster to you.
Tune in. 🗓️
It’s time for the 2022/23 #TotalEnergiesCAFCL quarters! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/QIC99xsWgh
— TotalEnergies CAFCL – TotalEnergies CAFCC 🏆 (@CAFCLCC) April 20, 2023
JS Kabylie-ES Tunis
JS Kabylie is the author ofa funny season. The Canaries are indeed in great difficulty in the league since they occupy the 15th position (out of 16) in the Algerian Ligue 1. Will they have the head to play this prestigious meeting? Winner of the competition four times but exiting in the quarterfinals of two of the last three editions, ES Tunis will represent a sizeable opponent for the Kabyles. Note however that the Sang et Or will not be able to count on their midfielder Ghaylène Chaâlali, their Jordanian winger Faisal Abu Zrayq and their winger Anice Badri due to injuries.
Simba Sport Club-Wydad Casablanca
In his den of Dar es Salaam, the team of Simba Sports Club, giant of Tanzanian football, will therefore receive Wydad who will want to defend their title. The two teams, which each occupy second place in their respective championship, remain on a victory. Last Sunday, Simba indeed beat the leader Young Africans (2-0) in a huge shock, while the Moroccan club, which recently saw Lamkal Zé quit his ranks, defeated Union Touarga Sports on the road (2-0). Acting as Tom Thumb, the Tanzanian players will be determined to create the feat two years after suffering the law of Kaizer Chiefs at the same stage of the competition (0-4, 3-0).
CR Belouizdad-Mamelodi Sundowns
Although leading the Algerian championship, the CRB remains on a defeat and two draws. Not the best to gain confidence before a quarter-final of the Champions League, but there is no doubt that the Red and Whites have the resources to finally overcome this pitfall after two failures at this stage of the competition. Opposite, the team of Mamelodi Sundowns, the second best attack in the C1, has just been eliminated from the South African Cup. Leader of their championship with 18 points in advance, the “Brazilians” will undoubtedly be 100% for this match. Note that with Raja, the winners of the 2016 edition are the only undefeated team in the group stage.
Presence of 52,000 supporters approved to attend the first leg of the CAF Champions League quarter-finals between Al Ahly of Egypt 🇪🇬 and Raja Club Athletic of Morocco 🇲🇦, next Saturday at the Cairo stadium (7:00 p.m.).#TotalEnergiesCAFCL #CAFCL pic.twitter.com/QkTgrsyh5g
— Ablam GNAMESSO 🌍® (@AblamGnamesso) April 17, 2023
Al Ahly-Raja Casablanca
For this first leg, Al Ahly players can count on the presence of 52,000 supporters at the Cairo International Stadium, which was not to the liking of the Al Hilal coach in the previous round. Leader of the Egyptian championship and recent winner of the final of the Egyptian Cup ahead of Pyramids (2-1), the Red Devils approach this shock with their experience despite a qualification acquired in pain. If Raja Casablanca has an average season in the Moroccan league (5th out of 16), they remain a very competitive team. Balanced match in perspective between these two historic clubs on the African continent, with an air of revenge since the Cairo giant had eliminated the Moroccans last year at the same stage of the competition (2-1, 1-1).
