1. 27-year-old French manager Alexandre Lafitte makes history with Stade d’Abidjan
In the rich and long history of the CAF Champions League, no team has ever been led by a 27-year-old young man as the head coach. The former PSG Youth coach will commence his first competitive managerial role in inter-continental club football. The UEFA Licence A coaching certificate holder will travel to Cairo to face Al Ahly and a huge test awaits the tactician. Born on April 1st 1997, the coach is very young, but his talent can not be questioned. All eyes will be on how he will set his team up tactically to face the defending champions, Al Ahly on Tuesday evening at the Cairo International Stadium. Lafitte has at least gathered little experience after leading the 1966 champions in eliminating Teungueth and Milo of Senegal and Guinea respectively, in the play-off. After Youth Coach and Assistant Manager roles at FC Gueugnon in France, he was appointed as the manager of Stade d’Abidjan in January 2023 at age 25 and his leadership has so far reaped a Money Zone slot for the first time in the history of the club.
2. Raja Casablanca and AS FAR ready to battle for supremacy
Moroccan football has been Wydad Casablanca and RS Berkane in continental club competitions in recent years but Raja Casablanca and FAR Rabat will steal the attention in the 2024-25 season. Placed in Group B alongside regulars Mamelodi Sundowns and debutants Maniema, the Moroccans are very much aware that they will be fighting for just a slot because the Masandawana will likely steal one of the two slots. At the Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca, Raja will welcome FAR in a contest the continent cannot wait for. The two teams are the last winners of the Moroccan Botola PRO. The Casablanca-based club prevented FAR from retaining the league trophy last season after putting up unbelievable performances in the later part of the season. The two managers of the clubs are under pressure because of their inconsistent performances so far in the season. Ricardo Sa Pinto of Raja Casablanca and Velud Hubert of FAR know the task ahead, as defeat will be a dangerous result for any of them.
3. No Honeymoon moment for Sead Ramovic at Yanga
Young Africans, after just two defeats, sacked experienced Argentine gaffer Miguel Angel Gamondi. The Argentine coach made Yanga so solid and thick. He made them unbeatable and instilled an incredible winning mentality in the Dar es Salaam club, but he was not shown any mercy when results were not good in just two matchdays. It is a huge warning to the newly appointed German tactician Sead Ramovic that the Tanzanian club hates defeat and he must hit the ground running when Al Hilal visits on Tuesday afternoon. Yanga has one of the best squads on the continent with stars like Aziz Ki, Djigui Diarra, Khalid Aucho, Yaya Mudathir, Clatous Chama, Prince Dube, Pacome Zouzoua, Kennedy Musonda, Jean Baleke and Clement Mzize all at their peak. With this talented squad, no coach will demand time to do the job.
4. Orlando Pirates faces tricky test in Algiers
The Buccaneers have been simply so sensational in the season so far. Orlando Pirates have won all seven PSL games played and are three points above second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns. Pirates revenged last season’s shocking defeat against Jwaneng Galaxy in the play-off to the Money Zone of the CCL by beating them home and away this season. Spanish head coach Jose Riveiro is in cruise control of things at the Bucks. They open their CCL campaign with a trip to the recent regular Belouizdad in Algiers. The Algerians have always posed a huge threat against any team at the 20 August 1995 Stadium in Algiers. Veteran Algerian head coach Abdelkader Amrani was recently appointed, and he needs to be tactically spot-on to beat Orlando Pirates. Evidence Magkopa has been the main man in attack for the Buccaneers having scored 6 goals in all competitions this season. The Algerians must watch out for the Bafana Bafana striker as he can torment any defence.
5. Djoliba AC’s visit to Tunis is a difficult task
Djoliba will play their first-ever Money Zone game in the CAF Champions League against the experienced Esperance de Tunis. Last season’s runner-up will make their 22nd appearance in the group stages since 1997. They share the record appearance with the 12th-time winner, Al Ahly. Facing such teams as debutants is always a difficult job. Medeama, in their debut campaign last season, commenced their season with a 3-0 massacre in Cairo by eventual winners Al Ahly. Djoliba from Mali needs to stay resolute to be able to record even a respectable scoreline because a trip from West Africa to the North is now the trickiest job for WAFU clubs. Demba Mamadou Traore’s charges are in a tough group because their opponents have more experience at this level than them.
6. Pyramids can not repeat last season’s embarrassing performances
Pyramids in the 2023-24 CCL group stage was placed in Group A alongside Sundowns, TP Mazembe and Nouadhibou. The wealthy Egyptian side finished bottom of the group with one of the most expensive sides in the competition. The leaders of Pyramids were pissed especially when they finished below the lowly Mauritanian champions Nouadhibou. They begin their 2024-25 CCL campaign with a visit of Sagrada from Angola. A win is expected from Croatian head coach Krunoslav Jurcic and his lads. Pyramids have an excellent squad and a place in knockout stage is expected at all costs. The group looks favourable compared to last season’s. Sagrada and Djoliba must be dealt with on any day by Pyramids. Esperance is a step ahead but it is not an impossible job.
