The opening day of the group stage of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League on Friday and Saturday offered some entertaining returns with a total of 14 goals scored across the seven matches played.
Tunisian giants Esperance had the biggest win of the opening weekend while Wydad Club Athletic also picked a healthy victory.
Esperance’s Mohamed Ben Romdhane is currently top scoring in the group phase after scoring a hattrick in their victory.
Here is a summary of how the groups fared after the opening weekend.
Group A:
With defending champions Al Ahly away on FIFA Club World Cup duties, Mamelodi Sundowns took advantage to go top of the group after a nervy but assured 1-0 win over Sudanese side Al Hilal.
Sundowns, winners of the tournament in 2016 are seeking their second African crown and the perfect start gives them courage and confidence.
Next Round Fixtures:
Al Hilal v Al Ahly – February 18, Omdurman
El Merreikh v Mamelodi Sundowns – February 19, Omdurman
Group B:
Raja Club Athletic also started their campaign on a high with a slim 1-0 victory over debutants AmaZulu. The South African side are playing the CAF Champions League for the first time in their history and despite the loss, picked positive lessons as they prepare for match day two.
ES Setif are second in the group after also earning a 1-0 victory on the opening day, winning away to Horoya of Guinea.
Next Round Fixtures:
ES Setif v Raja Club Athletic – February 18, Blida
Amazulu v Horoya – February 18, Durban
Group C:
Esperance assumed leadership of Group C with the massive 4-0 win over Botswana debutants Jwaneng Galaxy. Galaxy were handed a baptism of fire in continental football, this being the first time ever they are playing at this stage.
Etoile du Sahel and CR Belouizdad are second and third respectively, having played to a 0-0 draw in Rades with Belouizdad leaving with regrets after missing a late penalty.
Next Round Fixtures:
Jwaneng Galaxy v Etoile du Sahel – February 19, Francistown
CR Belouizdad v Esperance – February 19, Algiers
Group D:
Wydad Club Athletic, two-time winners of the Champions League, also started their campaign on a high with a 3-0 thrashing of Angola’s Sagrada to move top of the group.
Egyptian giants Zamalek meanwhile needed a late equalizer to scrape a point at home, in a 2-2 draw with Petro Atletico.
Next Round Fixtures:
Petro de Luanda v Wydad Club Athletic – February 19, Luanda
Sagrada Esperanca v Zamalek SC – February 19, Luanda
I am a young and vibrant sports journalist from Ghana, a member of the Sports Writers’ Association of Ghana(SWAG), and working with Sports Preview Ghana and sports reporting outfit poised to bring all the latest and trending sports news around the globe.
Discussion about this post