The 2018/19 CAF Total Champions League group stage reaches its thrilling conclusion this Saturday, March 16, as six remaining quarterfinal spots are up for grabs. While some fixtures will be mere formalities, others are shaping up to be high-stakes showdowns, with suspense guaranteed until the final whistle.
In Group B, the drama is especially pronounced. Zimbabwe’s Platinum Club, with just two points, has already been eliminated, while Espérance de Tunis (EST) has secured the top spot in the group with 11 points. Their clash with Platinum is therefore largely symbolic. The real action will come from the other Group B fixture, where Guinea’s Horoya AC (seven points) hosts South Africa’s Orlando Pirates (six points). With qualification on the line, this match is being treated as a virtual final, where victory guarantees a place in the quarterfinals. A draw, however, would still see the Guineans advance thanks to their one-point advantage.
Horoya AC faces the challenge of missing a key player for the decisive match. Starting right-back Abou Mangue Camara will be absent due to the accumulation of yellow cards. The defender, a fixture in the Matam club’s lineup, expressed his disappointment on the club’s official website: “That’s the way football is, the rules are designed for that, so it’s fate. Otherwise, last year I played everything, without missing a single match… I wish my teammates good luck, we want to continue this momentum.”
Despite his absence, Camara voiced confidence in his replacement. “There are many players at HAC who are versatile. But above all, there is Alseny Camara. Even if people think I’m currently the most fit, in terms of experience he’s ahead of me, having played in several high-level competitions. We just need to trust him, and he’ll be able to contribute fully to the team,” he said. Camara also emphasized the importance of team communication and mutual support, even when substitutes are on the bench.
Beyond tactics, Camara made a heartfelt appeal to the Guinean supporters to rally behind their team. Known and loved by fans as Friaka, he stressed the impact that the crowd can have on the players’ performance. “I ask the public to come and support HAC. We miss our fans abroad, and now that we are playing at home, they must be in greater numbers. Just like during the comeback against Al Nasr; thanks to their shouts and songs, together we had the heart to go for the victory,” he said. He urged fans from Conakry and across Guinea to step up, underlining that their support could be decisive in helping the team overcome this crucial challenge.
With only six quarterfinal spots left across all groups, this final matchday promises drama and excitement. Horoya AC’s contest against Orlando Pirates stands out not only for the stakes on the line but also for the resilience and team spirit that have become hallmarks of the Guinean side this season. The absence of a key defender adds an extra layer of intrigue, while the call for fans to create an intimidating home atmosphere underscores the role of supporters in African club football.
As the CAF Champions League reaches this critical juncture, all eyes will be on Conakry, where Horoya AC aims to secure a memorable victory and advance to the knockout stages, backed by their supporters and the collective determination of the squad.
