This Wednesday, USM Algiers receives ASEC Mimosas in the semi-final second leg of the CAF Cup. After their draw in Côte d'Ivoire, the Algerians are in a favorable position. In the other match, Young Africans goes to Marumo Gallants with two goals ahead.
ASEC wants to avoid regrets. As they travel to Algeria to face USM Alger in the semi-final second leg of the CAF Cup, the Mimosas know they missed the opportunity to take the lead in the first leg, in front of their home crowd (0-0). In a totally dominated end of the game, Julien Chevalier's men have sinned in the last move (3 shots on target out of 11), where a goal would have been enough to give them an advantage them.
Everything remains open in Algiers, even if the Usmistes start now with the advantage of playing at home. "We knew that it would be on two games that it would be played. We will try to get it there by doing the same or better. It's up to us to go out there and try to score, try to put them in trouble. It will be a new challenge. We've faced a lot of challenges this season. We had a first game where we drew here, everyone saw us already condemned for this year again and then we are still here. We'll get what we deserve away from home," warned Julien Chevalier in a press conference.
Full strength, USMA dreams of winning the title
The ASEC coach is resolutely confident, especially since the USM will have to force the decision to avoid elimination in front of its public. The French technician expects an open match. "In the return match, USM Alger will have to give up and that will perhaps open us spaces to exploit. We know what to expect. We will have to have more skills in front of the goals, more precision at the entrance of the opponent's penalty area," he said. The Ivorians will have to succeed once again in countering the attack of USMA, the most prolific of this edition of the CAF Cup with 15 goals. At home, the men of Abdelhak Benchikha will have to find the way to the net again.
Especially since the technician has dreams of winning the title and has made the CAF Cup his main objective. "USMA needs a continental title. We believe in our chances. I am not a seller of dreams, but believe me, we want this African title, it is really important to us. We are a game and a half away from happiness. We will fight to realize our dream. We must remain calm to get there," he said. Especially since for the occasion, he will be able to count on a complete group with the return from injury of his striker, Abderrahmane Meziane.
A formality for Young Africans?
Young Africa is also dreaming of winning the CAF Cup. With a positive result against Marumo Gallants in the semi-final first leg (2-0), the Tanzanians have taken a big step towards the final. As they head into the second leg in South Africa, the club will be looking to build on their current momentum and their 29th Tanzanian league title, won at the weekend, to validate their qualification. While all the signs are green at their level, the situation is quite different on the South African side. Marumo Gallants, once again beaten in the league and currently second to last in the standings, is more concerned than ever with the race for survival.
And if everything suggests that they will focus on the fight for survival, Raymond Mdaka and his men will play their best to try to reverse the trend. To do this, the coach will rely on the last performances of his team at home in this CAF Cup campaign and especially in the group stage. Marumo Gallants had one of his most successful games in the group stage when they defeated USM Alger (2-0), another semi-finalist. "We have been in this situation before against USM Alger. It is a better one than the one we faced in the first leg of the semi-final. We think we can still do it," warned the coach, for whom the ideal match scenario would be "getting an early goal that would destabilize Young Africans and put them under pressure."
Set your alarm for the #TotalEnergiesCAFCC semi-finals 2nd leg!
Check the timings below 👇 pic.twitter.com/qSoKNDeZeN
— TotalEnergies CAFCL - TotalEnergies CAFCC 🏆 (@CAFCLCC) May 16, 2023
The program of the semi-final second leg (GMT times)
4 PM Marumo Gallants - Young Africans
7 PM USM Alger - ASEC Mimosas
