The CAF Champions League returns on Friday with the fourth round of group stage fixtures, a phase that could prove decisive in shaping the race for qualification to the quarter-finals across all groups.
This round is set to feature several high-profile Arab clashes, headlined by the meeting between Egypt’s Pyramids and Morocco’s Renaissance Berkane, last season’s CAF Confederation Cup winners.
Another notable encounter will see Morocco’s FAR Rabat lock horns with Algeria’s JS Kabylie in what promises to be a tightly contested affair.
In Group A, Pyramids will welcome Renaissance Berkane to the Air Defense Stadium in Cairo on Sunday, while Nigeria’s Rivers United face Zambia’s Power Dynamos in the group’s other fixture. Renaissance Berkane currently top the group with seven points, holding the advantage over Pyramids on goal difference, while Rivers United and Power Dynamos trail with a point apiece.
Pyramids are eager to seize top spot and rediscover their winning touch under Croatian coach Krunoslav Jurčić after recent draws against Berkane in the competition and El Gouna in the Egyptian Premier League.
The Egyptian champions will look to their attacking strength, led by Congolese striker Fiston Mayele and Moroccan defender Mohamed Chibi, alongside Mostafa Fathi, Brazilian winger Everton, Mahmoud Abdel Hafeez known as Zalaka, and Ahmed Atef Qatta.
Renaissance Berkane, guided by Tunisian coach Moine Chaabani, are equally determined to leave Cairo with all three points and are relying on the influence of Youssef Mehri, Burkinabe defender Issoufou Dayo and Oussama El Maloui.
Group B action sees FAR Rabat chasing their first victory of the campaign when they host JS Kabylie on Saturday. Both sides are level on two points, occupying third and fourth positions respectively, and are desperate to ignite their qualification hopes.
FAR Rabat will depend on the tactical input of Portuguese coach Alexandre Santos as they attempt to reorganise their squad, although the match will be played behind closed doors following CAF sanctions linked to earlier incidents involving Al Ahly.
JS Kabylie, under the guidance of German coach Josef Zinnbauer, are hoping that a disciplined team performance and the finishing ability of striker Aymen Mahious will allow them to spring a surprise on Moroccan soil.
Elsewhere in the group, leaders Al Ahly travel to Tanzania to face Young Africans, aiming to move closer to securing qualification. The Egyptian giants sit top with seven points and could make a significant step forward with a win, depending on results elsewhere.
Al Ahly are enjoying a strong run under Danish coach Jess Thorup, boosted by the form of new signing Marwan Othman, the resurgence of Imam Ashour, and the experience of Ahmed Mustafa Zizo and Mahmoud Hassan Trezeguet.
Young Africans, second in the group with four points, are hoping to use home advantage to turn the tables on Al Ahly under the leadership of Portuguese coach Pedro Goncalves.
In Group C, Sudanese side Al Hilal face a tough test against leaders Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa when the two sides meet in Libya on Friday. Both teams are level on five points, with Sundowns ahead on goal difference. Al Hilal are counting on the experience of Romanian coach Laurentiu Reghecampf to outwit Sundowns, who are led by Portuguese tactician Miguel Cardoso.
Mouloudia Club of Algiers will be fighting to keep their hopes alive when they host Congolese outfit Saint Lipopo on Sunday evening. Mouloudia sit bottom of the group with just one point, while Saint Lipopo occupy third place with four points.
Group D action continues on Sunday as Tunisia’s Esperance travel to Tanzania to face Simba, while Angola’s Petro Luanda host Stade Malien. Esperance are currently second in the group with five points, two behind Stade Malien, and are targeting a crucial away victory to strengthen their chances of reaching the knockout stage under the guidance of coach Maher Kanzari.
