CAF Champions League quarter-final second legs: Sundowns v Young Africans, Al Ahly v Simba, anything can happen
Both CAF Champions League quarter-final second legs look finely balanced, with Mamelodi hosting Yanga and Al Ahly facing Simba, where little separates the sides
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Mamelodi Sundowns-Young Africans, a delicate balance
Anything can happen in this CAF Champions League quarter-final second leg. Admittedly, South Africa's Mamelodi Sundwons will have home advantage, but that does not necessarily guarantee a win. Opposing them, Tanzania's Yanga have several strings to their bow and can make the hosts work. The goalless draw (0-0) in the first leg shows how defensively solid Young Africans are. They will surely try to build a possible qualification on South African soil from that platform at the back. Tanzanian midfielder Mahlatsi Makudubela says we should "expect a more open game than the first leg in Dar Es Salaam". This CAF Champions League tie also pits the winner of the African Football League (Mamelodi) against last season's CAF Confederation Cup finalist (Young Africans). With so much in the mix, it promises to be an explosive contest.
Al Ahly-Simba SC, advantage Egyptians!
Ahly's power will be tested again against Simba SC in the other CAF Champions League quarter-final. It will be played at Cairo International Stadium on Friday 5 April. The Egyptians hold a slight edge after winning the first leg a week ago in Tanzania, thanks to a decisive goal from midfielder Ahmed "Koka" Nabil. The Cairo giants, favourites to defend their title, are determined to win this tie. But Ahy will be without injured goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shennawy, midfielders Emam Ashour, Aliou Dieng and Karim "Nedved" Walid, as well as defender Yasser Ibrahim.
On the other hand, Tunisian striker Mohamed Dhaoui and Palestinian striker Wessam Abou Ali will be available for the match after recovering from their injuries. Despite their first-leg win, the Swiss coach of the Red Devils, Marcel Koller, expects a tough match against Simba. "I expect the match against Simba to be very difficult, just like the first leg," said Koller. "We will approach this second leg with the sole aim of getting a positive result and qualifying for the semi-finals", says his Simbas SC counterpart, Abdelhak Benchikha.
Jim CEESAY
Schedule
CAF Champions League - Quarter-final second legs
Friday 05 April
18:00 GMT
Mamelodi Sundowns - Young Africans
20:00 GMT
Al Ahly SC - Simba SC