Quartet former champions begin continental campaigns away

          

   

  Zoom  

The 2011 Orange CAF Champions League kick starts this weekend with the preliminary round of matches, but it is the away encounters involving four former champions that tops the billing.

Five-time winners Zamalek of Egypt, Nigeria’s Enyimba, Club Africain of Tunisia and MC Algers of Algeria begin their campaigns with away clashes against Kenya’s Ulinzi Stars, Saint Michel of Congo, Rwanda champions APR and Real de Bangui of Central African Republic respectively.

For a competition synonymous with surprises, the giants face uphill tasks in their quest to cement their place amongst the top brass of African club football, against clubs eyeing similar ambitions in the not too distant future.

With off-colour performances in the recent past, the quartet have been afforded yet another opportunity to make a claim for their place on the ladder with their eyes fixed on halting the dominance of DR Congo outfit, TP Mazembe.

Zamalek, who last tasted continental glory in 2002 appear to be on a renaissance backed by stellar performances in the Egyptian league under the technical guidance of former Pharaohs captain Hossam Hassan.

Sitting atop the standings after the first halve of the season, the White Knights look a tall mountain for the Kenyan debutants, who stunned all to emerge champions in their local championships last season. Zamalek look impregnable with star player Shikabala at his best this season and certainly the clash will bring Nairobi to a standstill.

Despite being the underdogs, Benjamin Nyangwese, head coach of Kenya military team have rated his charges high and insist upsetting the Cairo giants is not above their limit.

“On the pitch it would be 11 against 11. So we cannot be cowed by Zamalek, despite their pedigree and rich history in the sport. This will be a different ball game and we are ready for the challenge.

“On Saturday, we will go for nothing less than a win, then hope for a draw when we travel to Cairo for the return leg two weeks later,” Nyangwese told Cafonline.com.

Whilst the quartet are battling away from their bases, three others namely; ASEC Mimosas of Cote d’Ivoire and Moroccan duo, Raja Athletic Casablanca and Wydad Athletic Club will be at home to ASC Snim (Mauritania), Tourbillon (Chad) and debutants Aduana Stars (Ghana) respectively.

In other matches, AS FAN of Niger face Ivorian side JCAT in Niamey, Gabonese champions Union Sportive de Bitam slug it out Astres Douala of Cameroon, East End Lions of Sierra Leone versus Djoliba of Mali whilst Senegal’s ASC Jaraaf lock horns with Port Authority of Gambia.

Elsewhere, AS PAC of Benin will be at home to DVO Mongomo of Equatorial Guinea, Motor Action of Zimbabwe battles it out with Cnaps Sports of (Madagascar) whilst Elan Club de Mitsoudje engage Tanzania’s Simba.

Perennial contenders Saint George of Ethiopia trek downsouth to face Recreativo Caala of Angola, Liberia’s Mighty Barolle versus Kano Pillars of Nigeria, Fello Star of Guinea face AS Yennenga of Burkina Faso whilst former losing finalist Coton Sport of Cameroon play as guests of Vital’ O of Burundi.

South African champions, Supersport United will face fellows Matlama of Lesotho, Young Buffaloes of Swaziland against St Michel of Seychelles whilst Zambia’s Zesco United face Liga Desportiva of Mozambique in Lusaka.

A total of 44-clubs will be involved in action in the preliminary round whilst holders Mazembe and eight others namely; E.S.S. (Algeria), Al Ahly (Egypt), Ittihad (Libya), Stade Malien (Mali), Hilal (Sudan), Merrikh (Sudan), E.S.T. (Tunisia) and Dynamos (Zimbabwe) drew a bye.

The second leg matches is scheduled for 11-13 February with winners advancing to the 1/16th round.

Fixtures
AS Forces Armées Nigeriennes (Niger) v J. C. A. Treichville (Cote d’Ivoire)
Saint Michel de Ouenzé (Congo) v Enyimba FC (Nigeria)
Union Sportive de Bitam (Gabon) v Les Astres de Douala (Cameroon)
O. Real de Bangui (Central Africa) v Moloudia C. d’Alger (Algeria)
East End Lions FC (Sierra Leone) v Djoliba (Mali)
ASC Les Jaraafs (Senegal) v Gambia Ports A. (Gambia)

ASPAC FC (Benin) v DVO. Mongomo (Equatorial Guinea)
Asec Mimosas (Côte d’Ivoire) v ASC SNIM –Cansando (Mauritania)
Motor Action F. C. (Zimbabwe) V Cnaps Sports (Madagascar)

Raja Club Athlétic (Morocco) v Tourbillon (Chad)

Unlinzi Stars Football (Kenya) v Zamalek (Egypt)

APR FC (Rwanda) v Club Africain (Tunisia)
Club Recreativo Caala (Angola) v Saint George (Ethiopia)
Elan Club de Mitsoudjé (Comores) v Simba Sports Club (Tanzania)

Mighty Barolle (Liberia) v Kano Pillars (Nigeria)
Widad de Casablanca (Morocco) v Aduana Stars FC (Ghana)
Fello Star de Labe (Guinea) v AS. Faso – Yennega (Burkina Faso)

Vital’O FC (Burundi) v Coton Sport (Cameroon)

Zanzibar Ocean View (Zanzibar) v AS V. Club (DR Congo)

Supersport (South Africa) v Matlama FC (Lesotho)
Young Buffaloes FC (Swaziland) v St. Michel United (Seychelles)
Zesco United (Zambia) v Liga Desportiva M. (Mozambique)

Ten-star Raja too hot for Tourbillon

Moroccan giants Raja Casablanca masterminded one of the biggest wins in the history of the continental club championships with a 10-1 of Tourbillon of Chad in their preliminary round first leg clash of the 2011 Orange CAF Champions League on Friday.

Raja, thrice winners of the premier championship were simply too much for their visitors and their 6-0 lead at half time confirms their complete dominance over the Chadian champions in the encounter held in Casablanca. After several under-par performances since their last success 11-years ago, the Green Eagles as they are nicknamed announced their intent for the most sought after title in continental club football with a bang with forward Hassan Tair bagging a hat-trick.

Midfielder Abdessamad Ouhaki began the goal party on eight minutes by heading from close range after the Tourbillon goalie had spilled an effort into play. Two minutes later, Tair scored the goal before Ismail Benlamaalem added the third on 18 minutes.

It was Raja all the way, and further goals from Bouchaib El Moubarki, Tair and Mouhssine gave the hosts a 6-0 lead at half time.

The Green Eagles resumed with the same momentum and Tair completed his hat-trick on 51 minutes, slamming home after rounding Tourbillon goalie, who appeared out of sorts.

Three minutes past the hour mark, Hicham Aboucherouane made it 8-0 but the visitors responded swiftly with an effort that turned out to be a consolation four minutes later through Habib Mahamat. Ivorian-import Lacince Kone added his name to the scoring sheet on 69 minutes before Hassan Souari completed the routing seven minutes from time.

Tourbillon hosts the second leg in a fortnight in N’djamena.

Ulinzi suffer 4-0 defeat at hands of Zamalek

Ulinzi suffered a humiliating 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Zamalek on their first appearance in the CAF Champions league at Nyayo National Stadium, Nairobi, on Saturday.

The result was, however, not surprising considering the pedigree of the Egyptian club which boasts of at least five Champions league titles. bWhat was surprising was the huge margin of loss by the local boys who simply fell apart before a huge partisan crown that also included Prime Minister Raila Odinga and other top government officials.

At half time, both teams were level and for a time Ulinzi appeared to have contained their opponents.

Things began falling apart in the 61st minute when second half substitute Collins Ochieng' brought down Hussein El Mohawari in the hosts' penalty box and the referee pointed to the spot.

Mahmoud Fathalla scored from the penalty spot. The goal seemed to have disoriented the home side and the Ulinzi defence just crumbled. Moharawi was instrumental in initiating the second goal after breaking away from the Ulinzi defence to put through Mohammed Razak who simply tapped home in the 69th minute.

Zamalek were not done yet and seven minutes later Mohammed Amine netted the third goal after taking advantage of a defensive lapse. As Zamalek players celebrated a section of fans walked out of the stadium in frustration.

Ibrahim Salah completed the rout in injury time and this time goalkeeper Francis Ochieng' will blame himself for failing to clear an easy ball.

Earlier in the first half, the home side appeared determined to cause an upset as they found themselves in the Zamalek half time and again.

Ulinzi were particularly strong in the right flank where they initiated their attacks from and always found space through the Zamalek defence.

Their best chance was in the 13th minute when Zamalek goalkeeper Alwahed Elsay stopped a dangerous header from Evans Amuoka. Amuoka was also responsible for another impressive attempt in the 32nd minute but shot wide.

Ulinzi coach Benjamin Nyangweso said the penalty the conceded resulting in the first goal destroyed the team’s morale from which they could not recover.
“It is a disappointing result for us. We did not expect it to end this way. We started very well but that penalty killed us. I had told my players not to concede an away goal but when it happened they could not recover from it,” he said.

Ulinzi face a huge task in the return leg match to be played after two weeks.

Rwanda’s APR hold Club Africain

Rwandan champions APR came from behind to hold Tunisian giants Club Africain 2-2 in their Orange CAF Champions League preliminary round first leg clash on Saturday in Kigali.

The Rwandan Military team trailed twice in the game but fought back to salvage a draw ahead of the reverse fixture in two weeks time in Tunis.

Club Africain, winners in 1991 took the lead after 16 minutes through Khaled Melliti before midfielder Alfred Ngabo drew parity for the hosts two minutes from half time.

The Tunisians were again in the lead a minute later courtesy Hamza Messaadi, only for Eugene Twite to equalize from the spot on 75 minutes.

Elsewhere in Niamey, AS FAN were held to a barren draw by visiting JCAT of Cote d’Ivoire just as Tanzania’s Simba managed a similar scoreline against Comoros champions, Elan Club de Mitsoudjé.

Draw for 2011 Interclubs rescheduled for Dec. 20

  NEWS

Draw for 2011 Interclubs rescheduled for Dec. 20

12-05-2010

          

   

  Zoom  

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) will hold the draw for the 2011 Interclubs competitions on Monday, December 20 in Cairo, Egypt. It was initially scheduled for Sunday, December 19.

 

Over 100 clubs from the 53 National Associations affiliated to CAF will be involved in the draw for the two club championships; Orange CAF Champions League and the Orange CAF Confederation Cup.

 

The deadline for the registration of participation in the 2011 continental club championships was Tuesday, November 30.

 

TP Mazembe of DR Congo are the current champions of the Orange CAF Champions League and Morocco’s FUS Rabat for the Orange CAF Confederation Cup.

CAF Champions League | RESULTS

nuary
O. Real de Bangui	1 - 1	Moloudia Club d’Alger

30 January
Zanzibar Ocean View	1 - 1	AS V. Club

30 January
Widad Casablanca	3 - 0	Aduana Stars

30 January
Fello Star de Labe	1 - 1	Yennega

30 January
Asec Mimosas	7 - 0	ASC SNIM

30 January
S. Michel de Ouenzé	0 - 1	Enyimba FC

30 January
US de Bitam	0 - 0	Les Astres de Douala

30 January
Vital’O FC	2 - 2	Coton Sport

30 January
ASC Les Jaraafs	1 - 1	Gambia Ports A

30 January
East End Lions	0 - 2	Djoliba

30 January
ASPAC FC	1 - 0	DVO. Mongomo

30 January
Interclube	3 - 0	Township Rollers

30 January
Club Recreativo	2 - 0	Saint George

30 January
SuperSport United	2 - 0	Matlama FC
Peter Mokaba Stadium

30 January
Young Buffaloes	3 - 0	St. Michel United

30 January
Motor Action	0 - 1	Cnaps Sports

29 January
AS Fan	0 - 0	Treichiville

29 January
Ulinzi Stars	0 - 4	Zamalek

29 January
APR FC	2 - 2	Club Africain

29 January
Zesco United	3 - 0	Desportiva Muculmana

29 January
Elan C. de Mitsoudjé	0 - 0	Simba Sports Club

28 January
Raja Club Athlétic	10 - 1	Tourbillon

Martins returns to England

CHAN 2011 Debate: Where Are Nigeria and Egypt?

The African giants are missing from the continental tournament.

For the second tournament running, African football powerhouses Nigeria and Egypt will be missing from the Championship of African Nations, CHAN, which begins on February 4 in Sudan.

While the Pharaohs opted out of the tournament just like they did in 2009, a little known side from Niger humiliated the Nigerians when they lost 2-0 during qualifying. It was a shock defeat that jolted the Nigerians.

When the tournament kicks off in a few days, Nigeria and Egypt (even though in a crucial political crisis at the moment) will watch from the sidelines.

It is a big loss to the tournament that those two countries will not be there to show their skills among the rest of the continent’s local based footballers. However, it is also a big loss to both countries’ young players as they will not have the opportunity to expose their skills to scouts looking for new talents.

The maiden tournament in Cote D’Ivoire where Congo DR emerged champions has assisted that country’s football in moving to greater heights. More than half of that victorious Congolese team was drawn from TP Mazembe, the club that has now won back-to-back CAF Champions League trophies. If anything, Congolese football has become the better for their participation in the maiden CHAN.

The other countries that participated in the maiden edition have also seen their players move on to greater things. An example is Ghana’s Rahim Ayew who moved to Zamalek after that tournament and eventually was part of the impressive Ghanaian contingent at the World Cup in 2010.

It is unfortunate that both Nigeria and Egypt’s failure to participate is denying the continent the opportunity to view the abundance of young talent in these countries.