Round 4 of the ongoing CAF Champions League group fixtures went down on Wednesday 27 across Africa.
Group “B” leaders Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa became the first team to book a slot in the semi-final with a third straight win in their 1-0 victory against Zamalek SC at Lucas Moripe Stadium; the monumental achievement was a first for the “Brazilians” in their short and illustrious history. The other semi-final berth from the group will be fought out between the “White Knights” who are five times winners and Enyimba (Nigeria).
Group “A” on the other hand is a more complex and potentially intriguing matrix, with all the four teams (Wydad Casablanca, Zesco United, Al Ahly, Asec Mimosas) still in contention for the other two semi-final places.
Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca should have sealed their place in the last four after back to back wins and a draw in their previous three matches – heading into yesterday’s clash with eight times champions Al Ahly, but unexpected 1-0 loss against the Egyptian giants blew the group open, and the “Rouges et Blancs” are now tied at the top on seven points a piece with Zesco United.
The win was Martin Jol’s men first after a slow start, registering two loses on the bounce and a draw in the past three outings. Ahly are third on four points same as Ivory Coast’s Asec Mimosas who are placed last with an inferior goal difference.
Zambian champions Zesco United held the Black and Yellows to a 1-1 stalemate at Stade Robert Champroux, Abidjan to pick four points out of possible six from Siaka Traore’s men. Zesco won the first leg 3-1.
Next Fixtures
The fifth round of group matches in August will see Al Ahly host a reverse tie versus Zesco United on Friday 12 – a clash neither side can’t afford to lose. Two days later on Sunday 14, Asec Mimosas will travel to Morocco for the return leg match against host Wydad Casablanca.
Zesco stunned Al Ahly 3-2 on June 18 in Ndola and the “Red Devils” will not take it lying down in Cairo knowing a win takes them back on track in their campaign, before their last fixture away to Asec Mimosas who beat them 2-1 in the first stanza. Three points for “Team Ya Ziko” on the other hand guarantees the Coach George “Chicken” Lwandamina’s charges a maiden semi-final berth rendering their last tie against Wydad in Ndola a battle for top spot.
Wydad like Zesco can finish the business in the penultimate round when they play Asec Mimosas at home and fight to finish top of the Group in Round 6. The first encounter was in their favor beating the Ivorians 1-0 in June.
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