1. North Africa continues to be a deadly zone for WAFU clubs
West African clubs have lost everything against the North African clubs. They can no longer compete with clubs from the North in the CCL especially as they get beaten easily. Asec Mimosas secured an incredible goalless draw in the quarter-finals of the 2023-24 CAF Champions League, which happens to be probably the best result in recent years for WAFU clubs in North Africa. On the opening day of the 2024-25 CCL season, Stade d’Abidjan lost 4-2 in Cairo against Al Ahly while Djoliba was beanten comfortably by Esperance. WAFU’s only teams in the CCL Money zone got off to poor starts, and nothing shows they will be able to challenge for the title. The bravery showed by Alexander Laffite, 27, Stade d’Abidjan’s head coach, was fantastic, and they will need to keep it up to stand any chance of progressing.
2. AS FAR roll back the years and silence rivals Raja Casablanca
Since 2007, FAR Rabat has not played in the group stage of the CCL. The 1985 African Champions winners smashed Port City of Gambia 8-0, CA Bizertin 4-1, and destroyed AS Bilima 5-2 in the finals. The 1985 spirit visited FAR on Tuesday night in Casablanca and they damaged Raja Casablanca 2-0 in a beautiful manner. FAR’s smash-and-grab win at the Stade Larbi Zaouli delighted Velud Hubert and it put Sa Pinto, Raja Casablanca’s coach under pressure.
3. Florent Ibenge showed Saed Ramovic that he knows the African terrain
Yes, Florent Ibenge is one of the most experienced managers on the African continent. The Congolese coach won the CAF Confederation Cup with Moroccan side RS Berkane in the 2021-22 season. The former DR Congo head coach finished as runner-up in 2014 with AS Vita Club in the CAF Champions League to ES Setif and also lost in the 2018 CAF Confederation Cup finals to Raja Casablanca. The 62-year-old has immense experience, and he tactically outsmarted the newly appointed German/Bosnian head coach Saed Ramovic. At the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Young Africans had a good start to the game, although it was limited by Al Hilal in terms of dominance and chances creation. The Sudanese side finally showed their worth by scoring two goals in the second half to record a great win in Tanzania. Yanga was shocked because many underestimated the Sudanese side.
4. Orlando Pirates plays like champions
The Bucks were superb on Tuesday night in Algiers against Belouizdad. Jose Riveiro’s Buccaneers showed the exact reason why they are sitting on top of the South African Betway Premier League. The Bucks are well-organised; they are brave and understand whatever they are doing. Mohau Nkota’s brace was amazing; they were delightful, especially the second. He struck the ball with pinpoint accuracy and pace, and it could win the goal of the season, even though it is very early in the season. Orlando Pirates can challenge for major honours this season only if they can continue to play like they did last night.
5. Manqoba Mgqithi blames lack of preparation for Maniema draw
“We did not have enough time to prepare for the game”, said Manqoba. The Mamelodi Sundowns head coach is now feeling the pressure after the disastrous 2-1 defeat to Magesi on Saturday night in the Carling Knockock finals. On Tuesday afternoon on the opening day of the 2024-25 CCL, the Masandawana disappointingly drew goalless against the new boys, Maniema Union from DR Congo. Failing to beat the minnows was a bit embarrassing to most of the fans of the Brazilians but head coach Manqoba Mgqithi has just blamed the lack of enough time to prepare. Maniema deserves huge credit for their fighting spirit in South Africa. They fought and fought pretty well for the point.
