CAF Champions League: tense second legs loom with group-stage places at stake

One round away from the groups, several regulars of the competition find themselves under pressure. The first legs played from 16 to 18 October gave some clubs breathing space and left others needing to turn things around. Fifteen first legs are complete; the one between 15 de Agosto and Simba is still scheduled for 21 October.

Petro and MC Alger up against it

Petro de Luanda are among the most exposed sides. Beaten 2-0 in Zimbabwe by Scottland FC, the Angolan club must make up the deficit in front of their own fans to stay in the tie. Scottland, for their part, have a precious advantage to defend in Angola after unsettling one of the continent's regulars.

MC Alger are in the same position on aggregate. Their 2-0 defeat away to Rangers International in Nigeria means they must produce a completely different performance in the second leg. The Algiers side will need to score and limit the chances they concede. Rangers can prepare for the second leg with a two-goal cushion, but qualification is still to be secured.

Espérance de Tunis must also respond. Beaten 1-0 in Libya by Asswehly, the Tunisian club have a smaller deficit to overturn, though without a comfortable margin for error. The home second leg must allow them to regain control.

Sundowns need a breakthrough, the Egyptians stay vigilant

Mamelodi Sundowns did not lose in Angola, but did not build a lead either. Held to a draw by Wiliete (0-0), the South African club must find a way through in the second leg, this time in front of their own fans. Wiliete's resistance in the first leg leaves the tie open.

Pyramids FC and Zamalek go into their second legs with a slender advantage. Both Egyptian clubs won 1-0 away, against El Merriekh Bentiu, representing South Sudan, and APR FC respectively. One goal separates them from their opponents: enough to hold the upper hand, too little to consider the job done.

The same caution applies to Orlando Pirates, 1-0 winners away to African Stars. The South Africans return to their fans with a lead to protect against the Namibian side.

Young Africans well placed, Colombe one step from the groups

Young Africans recorded the biggest win of these first fifteen legs, beating Madagascar's CFFA 4-0 away. With a four-goal lead, the Tanzanian club are in a particularly favourable position ahead of the second leg.

Al Hilal Omdurman and RS Berkane have also set themselves up well for the second leg. The Sudanese won 2-0 away to Sidama Bunna in Ethiopia, while the Moroccans won by the same score against Star Sport Academy, representing Sierra Leone. Both teams must now confirm those results.

La Colombe Sportive du Dja et Lobo also pulled off a fine result away from home. Their 2-0 win over Teungueth FC in Senegal gives them the chance to finish the job at home. For the Cameroonian club, reaching the group stage is within reach, provided they preserve their first-leg advantage.

Mazembe, ASEC and San Pedro in ties still wide open

TP Mazembe will have to go and earn qualification in Tunisia after conceding a 1-1 draw to Club Africain in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Neither side holds an advantage; the second leg will be decisive.

ASEC Mimosas also brought back a 1-1 draw from their trip to Maghreb de Fès. The Ivorians therefore host the second leg, with the chance to take control in front of their own fans. The Moroccans remain fully in the running.

Horoya AC will travel with a narrower advantage: their 1-0 win over Sudan's Al Merreikh leaves the two clubs close going into the second leg. San Pedro, 2-1 winners over Nouadhibou, must for their part defend their lead in Mauritania.

From 23 to 25 October, these second legs will separate the clubs still in contention for the sixteen group-stage places. For Petro, MC Alger and Espérance, the first-leg defeat must be erased first. For the teams already ahead, the task will be to turn their advantage into qualification.