Wydad Casablanca, finalist of the last two editions, is on the verge of elimination two days before the end of the group stage of the Champions League. The Moroccans no longer have their destiny in their hands and must count on a helping hand from the Ivorians of Asec, who are already qualified. A little air of deja vu…
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Ivorian-Moroccan friendship will once again be put to the test. After a CAN won by Ivory Coast “grace” in Moroccowhich relaunched and confirmed the beautiful story of love or friendship between the two countries, the opportunity presents itself for the Ivorians to return the favor.
For the 5th day of Champions League group matches, Wydad Casablanca, three Champions Leagues won and six finals played, including the last two editions, needs the help of Asec Abidjan. The teams are in the same pool B; Asec is leader of the group and already qualified, Wydad is last with two days remaining. The Moroccans still have a chance of securing second qualifying place, but Asec will first have to win against Simba, currently second, and for the Wydadis to beat the Botswanans of Jwaneng Galaxy for this day. Afterwards, everything will remain possible for the last day when Wydad will host… Asec who beat them in the first leg (1-0) in Abidjan.
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An air of CAN 2024 will continue to float during this fifth day of the Champions League with Mammelodi who finds nine of his players who finished third in the African Cup. The South African club had in fact provided many Bafana Bafana to the selection including the pillars Rowen Williams (best goalkeeper of the tournament), the central defender Mothobi Mvala and the tireless midfielder Teboho Mokoena. The South Africans, second in group A, tied on points with TP Mazembe, can qualify if they succeed in Mauritania at FC Nouhadibhou.
In group C, the Angolans of Petro Luanda only need a point against Al Hilal to ensure their qualification while Étoile du Sahel remains under the threat of elimination. Defeat is forbidden and the Sousse club must beat Esperance of Tunis in a Tunisian derby which promises to be electric to revive itself. In the first leg, Esperance won 2-0.
Finally, despite an unconvincing group stage with only one victory in four days, the title holder, Al Ahly, can validate their qualification for the quarter-finals in the event of success on the ground of the Ghanaians of Medeama. The reigning Ghana champions are last in Pool D with four points and maintain hope for qualification.
The program for the 5th day (time in TU)
Friday February 23
4 p.m.: Al Hilal Omdurman (Sudan) – Petro Atletico (Angola)
Medeama DC (Ghana) – Al Ahly (Egypt)
7 p.m.: ASEC Mimosas (Ivory Coast) – Simba FC (Tanzania)
Saturday February 24
1 p.m.: TP Mazembe (DR Congo) – Pyramids FC (Egypt)
Jwaneng Galaxy (Botswana) – Wydad Casablanca (Morocco)
4 p.m.: Nouadhibou FC (Mauritania) – Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
Young Africans (Tanzania) – CR Belouizdad (Algeria)
7 p.m.: Etoile du Sahel (Tunisia) – Espérance de Tunis (Tunisia)
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