1. Esperance Sportive de Tunis’ defence is extremely good
Make no mistake, Esperance’s defence is of high quality. The center-back pairing of Meriah and Tougai is excellent. These two are Tunisian and Algerian internationals who have immense quality. The two are top notch so it is never a surprise to see them deal with high-class attackers with ease. Their battle on Friday night against Peter Shalulile was very easy for them. Ben Ali and Ben Hamida are two excellent fullbacks who have excelled in the CAF Champions League so far. Their 20-year-old goalkeeper Memmiche is one for the future. Esperance has a well-organised defence and they can shut Al Ahly’s attack down. In ten games since the group stage, they have been able to keep 9 clean sheets. It was only against Al Hilal that the Tunisians conceded 3 goals in their 3-1 defeat which also remains their only loss in the competition.
2. African football is still in darkness
RS Berkane and USM brouhaha show that African Football has a long way to go. The battle for the ownership of Western Sahara since the 1950s has hurt the CAF Confederation Cup in 2024. A 3-0 win was awarded to RS Berkane by CAF but USM and Algerian football authorities have taken the case to CAS and are optimistic about a win. The finals are scheduled to be played in the middle of May and it is still unknown who Zamalek will face. Imagine USM Alger winning the case at CAS.
3. Al Ahly proves to be the kings
The Red Devils indeed are a legendary team. Their dominance on the continent is super crazy. After the 3-0 thrashing of TP Mazembe, they made a record by becoming the first team on the continent to play 5 finals in succession in the CCL. Al Aly is a super club and it is no surprise that they have won the highest number of trophies in world football. Against Esperance in the finals, the Egyptians are the hot favourites to lift the trophy because of their experience and consistency.
4. Rulani Mokwena under pressure from Sundowns fans
He is only 37 years old but has a 55-year-old’s insight in football. Rulani Mokwena has been dominating the PSL and the domestic cup competitions in South Africa but has failed to progress to the finals of the CAF Champions League in the last two seasons. He was eliminated by Wydad on away goal rule last season and Esperance has beaten Sundowns home and away this season. Even though Mokwena won the maiden edition of the African Football League, he failed to progress to the finals of the CCL and has been under immense pressure from some of the fans of Sundowns. He reacted that if the board decides to part ways with him, he will be okay although he loves everything about Sundowns. Will he be still at the helm next season or Sundowns will go back for Pitso Mosimane as rumours are saying?
5. The four teams to represent Africa in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup is decided
Al Ahly, Esperance, Wydad and Sundowns are to represent Africa in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. TP Mazembe would have usurped Sundowns had they been able to win the current CAF Champions League. They were thrashed by Al Ahly 3-0 in the semi-finals and it officially paved the way for these four clubs to represent Africa in the expanded FIFA Club World Cup to be hosted in the USA in 2025. These four clubs can dominate the continent for a long time because they’re going to be super rich.
