CAF Champions League Round of 16 (Second Leg) – Match Preview (May 1–3, 2015)
This weekend marks a decisive chapter in the 2015 CAF Champions League, with eight crucial second-leg matches scheduled between May 1st and 3rd. The winners will secure their spots in the group stage, while the losers will drop to the CAF Confederation Cup play-off round, where they’ll face qualifiers from that competition’s previous stage.
🔥 Friday, May 1st
🟢 ES Sétif (Algeria) vs Raja Casablanca (Morocco)
📍 Stade du 8 Mai 1945, Sétif
🕕 Referee: Med Said Kordi (Tunisia)
First leg: 2-2
Reigning champions Sétif hold a slight edge with two away goals but cannot afford to relax against a Raja side with continental pedigree.
The North African derby is expected to be intense, with both sides desperate to reach the lucrative group stage.
🗓 Saturday, May 2nd
🔵 Smouha (Egypt) vs AC Léopards (Congo)
First leg: 0-1
Smouha needs a strong home performance to overturn a narrow deficit against a tough Léopards side.
🔴 Al Ahly (Egypt) vs Moghreb Tétouan (Morocco)
First leg: 0-1
One of the tournament’s biggest fixtures. Al Ahly, eight-time champions, must come from behind at home.
MAT will aim to make history by reaching the group stage for the first time.
🗓 Sunday, May 3rd
⚫ CS Sfaxien (Tunisia) vs MC El Eulma (Algeria)
First leg: 0-1
El Eulma shocked Sfaxien in the first leg. Can they pull off another upset in Tunisia?
🟠 Espérance de Tunis (Tunisia) vs Al-Merrikh (Sudan)
First leg: 0-1
Espérance face a tricky challenge after losing in Omdurman. A strong home crowd may be their advantage.
🔵 Al Hilal (Sudan) vs Sanga Balende (DR Congo)
First leg: 1-0
A tight tie. Hilal will need to guard their narrow lead in Khartoum.
🟥 AS Kaloum (Guinea) vs USM Alger (Algeria)
First leg: 1-2
The Algerians travel to Guinea with a slim lead but must be wary of Kaloum’s home form.
⚫ TP Mazembe (DR Congo) vs Stade Malien (Mali)
First leg: 2-2
A massive match in Lubumbashi. TP Mazembe will count on their experience to outclass a solid Malien side.
⏳ What’s at Stake?
Winners: Advance to the CAF Champions League group stage.
Losers: Relegated to the CAF Confederation Cup play-off round, facing winners of the Confederation Cup round of 16.
Stay tuned for what promises to be a thrilling weekend in African club football!
