CAF Champions League Final Berths at Stake

The 2018/2019 CAF Champions League semi-final return matches conclude this weekend with Mamelodi Sundowns hosting Wydad Casablanca and Esperance de Tunis traveling to play TP Mazembe.

Sundowns conceded a 2-1 defeat in the first leg that was played in Rabat eight days ago, with goals from Salheddine Saidi and Aouk Badi leading Wydad to victory.

Anele Ngcongca scored the important away goal for the Brazilians which could prove crucial in the final reckoning.

Pitso Mosimane’s men will be confident of overturning the deficit given their impressive record at home in the competition. They have won their last six Champions League matches and drawn three in their backyard.

The Lucas Moripe stadium is expected to be fully packed offering the Tshwane giants a slight advantage, as the crowds in Pretoria are known for intimidating the opponents.

Key to Sundowns’ outstanding performance this season has been Thwabe Zwane who scored twice against Wydad during the group stage and should trouble the Moroccans alongside Lebahong Maboe, who has also impressed in the competition.

However, Mosimane admits that preventing Wydad scoring will be not be easy as the Moroccans are not an easy team basing on their past performances.

“I doubt they will sit back and try to force a goalless draw. Wydad can score in away games and we have to find a way of keeping them quiet.”

Wydad come into this match with one draw from seven previous matches against Mamelodi Sundowns. The South Africans are unbeaten in their last three home matches against Wydad with two wins in that run.

In their last trip to Pretoria, Wydad lost 2-1 during the group stage of the competition and will be facing another difficult match tonight.

Sadly, the Moroccans will be missing the services of Mohammed Nahiri due to yellow cards accumulation. He is the leading goalscorer for the Casablanca club this season with five goals,

TP Mazembe are chancing to go for their sixth African title when they face defending champions Esperance de Tunis in Lubumbashi.

Mazembe have a deficit to overrun as they lost 1-0 in the first leg in Rades where they played with ten men for the most part of the second half.

Zambian defender Kabaso Chongo was red-carded for the second bookable offense but the Congolese giants have strong men on the bench to cover the position.

Veteran strike Tresor Mputu and Jackson Muleka are expected to continue their partnership in attack having scored just twice each in their last six CAF Champions League matches.

Esperance wasted a lot of opportunities in the first leg, scoring the lone goal from Youcef Billali but their defensive record in recent weeks, conceding just one goal in their last five matches across all competitions, may play well on their side.

Their two visits to Lumbubashi in recent years have not been fruitful as one resulted in a 0-0 draw and the other a 5-0 loss.

Chamseddine Dhaouadi and Khalil Chemmam who have both been pivotal for the Tunisians in their solid defensive showing in recent matches are expected to assist the Tunisian side at least escape with a draw.

Both semi-finals are scheduled for this evening, with the two-legged final taking place over the last two weekends of May.

The two teams involved will not only be fighting for continental honors but also the hefty $2.5 million winners’ cheque.