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KENYA
NIGERIA
Holders Esperance and Egyptian side Al Ahly are
the favourites to reach the final of the African Champions League after this
weekend's semi-final, second-leg ties.
Tunisian’s Esperance drew 0-0 with TP Mazembe in
DR Congo in their first leg, while Ahly shared a six-goal draw away to Nigerian
side Sunshine Stars.
Advantage
Those away
goals put Ahly in a strong position to reach their ninth final.
For Esperance, they have the benefit of key
players returning to fitness.
Ghana defender Harrison Afful is available again
and midfielders Youssef Msakni and Karim Aouadhi seem set to be fit to play
after injuries.
in contrast
In contrast, TP Mazembe already know they will not
be at full strength. Zambia defender Stoppila Sunzu is suspended and
compatriots Rainford Kalaba and Hichani Himonde will undergo late fitness
tests.
However, the
Lubumbashi Ravens know that a score draw would be enough to put them through on
the away goals rule and they will look to captain Tresor Mputu and fellow
midfielder Mbwana Samata, who have scored six goals each in Africa this season,
for inspiration.
The match will be watched by a crowd restricted to
25,000 because of security concerns.
Ahly in driver’s
seat
In the other
semi-final, Ahly are firmly in the driver’s seat. They know that Sunshine Stars
will have to attack and that could leave the Nigerians exposed and vulnerable
at the back.
Ahly coach Hossam Al Badry is preparing for
Sunshine to come forward.
-I expect our opponents to attack from the start
as a draw does not favour them. Sunshine have not lost hope of reaching the
final and I anticipate they will fight to the end.
Behind closed doors
The match will
be played at the June 30 stadium, a venue the Cairo club will be using for the
first time and which will be virtually empty with the team forced once again to
play behind closed doors.
No spectators have been permitted at Ahly home
fixtures after more than 70 died in post-match rioting after the Cairo club
lost a domestic league match against bitter rivals Al Masry last February in
Port Said.
Unpaid monies
Sunshine coach
Gbenga Ogunbote blames a pre-first leg strike over unpaid signing-on fees for a
below-par showing in which his side constantly played catch-up, wiping out 2-0
and 3-2 deficits.
-We trained for only four days and that is not
enough when you are facing Ahly.
-My boys were
unable to raise their game at crucial periods and I hope for a much better
showing in Cairo.
The final will be staged over two legs during
November with a two-week break between fixtures and the champions pocket $1.5m
plus a place at the 2012 Club World Cup in Japan.
