The Congolese TP Mazembe launched their season in the CAF Champions League by winning against the formidable South Africans Mamelodi Sundowns. ASEC Mimosas, Al Hilal and Medeama have also each achieved prestigious victories.
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The tenors of the African continent can tremble! This second day of the 2023-2024 CAF Champions League reserved its share of surprise performances, suggesting a particularly tough group stage this season.
After its opening defeat last week, TP Mazembe bounced back well at home against Mamelodi Sundowns (1-0) thanks to the only goal of the match scored with a header by Likonza in the second half (60th). A very good result for the Congolese against the South African club, which has established itself as one of the new favorites in the competition since last season. In the other meeting of group A, the Mauritanians of Nouadhibou dominated FC Pyramids (2-0) thanks to a very quick achievement from Amar (4th) and a second from Oubeid in the last seconds (90th + 4) , even though they had to play half the match outnumbered after the red card received by Denine at the start of the second period (48th).
Another sensation, the Ivorians of ASEC Mimosas inflicted a second defeat in a row on Wydad Casablanca (1-0), already surprised during the first day by the Botswanans of Jwaneng Galaxy. Karamoko Sankara found the fault in the last twenty minutes of the match, well served by Gbakre (72nd). For its part, Jwaneng Galaxy failed to capitalize on its prestigious victory snatched last week, only signing a draw against Simba SC (0-0).
First historic victory in the competition for Medeama
The Sudanese of Al Hilal Omdurman also won in style against a major player from the African continent, largely dominating Esperance Tunis (3-1). Meriah started the Sudanese club’s match despite himself with an own goal in the first minutes (8th), followed immediately by a penalty converted by Abdel Raman (15th). Sowe tried to give hope to the Tunisians by reducing the score (59th), but Ndiaye put his team out of reach by scoring the third Sudanese goal (78th). Petro Luanda beat Étoile du Sahel (2-0) thanks to the Portuguese Alexandre Guedes, who first saw his first goal refused after the intervention of the VAR due to a foul (45th+ 2). He then quickly corrected himself by scoring a double (45th + 4 and 67th).
The best performance of this second day undoubtedly goes to the Ghanaians of Medeama, who won the first victory in their history in the CAF Champions League against CR Belouizdad (2-1). Yet punished before half-time by Benguit on a penalty (39th), they immediately got back on track thanks to Lomotey (45th). Kamaradin finally snatched this historic success for the Ghanaian club in added time of the match (90th + 4). The Egyptians of Al Ahly, for their part, let slip their first points this season against the Young Africans (1-1). Tau, however, thought he would get the victory by scoring in the last minutes of the match (86th), but the Tanzanians equalized five minutes later thanks to Zouzoua (90th+1).