CAF Cup: CR Belouizdad challenges Zamalek, OC Safi takes on USM Alger
This weekend will be marked by the CAF Cup semi-final matches. Four teams are still in the race to get the trophy on offer. These are CR Belouizdad, Zamalek, USM Alger and OC Safi.
Philemon MBALE · Author profile ·
Listen to this story
Audio version in preparation · read aloud by your browser meanwhile
Zamalek travels to CR Belouizdad
After having with difficulty sidelined Otôyo d'Oyo, Zamalek plays CR Belouizdad, who eliminated Al-Masry. A very open game for the two very ambitious clubs this season in the CAF Cup. The two teams will face off this Friday at 19:00 GMT at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Baraki for the first leg.
Zamalek remains a serious contender for the title. The team has completely transformed since the arrival of Moatamed Gamal on the bench. She is on a very good dynamic and will approach this meeting with CR Belouizdad with the greatest confidence. After the 4-1 win over Al-Masry in the league, the coach is now focusing on the CAF Cup match. His ambition is clear: to go all the way.
«The pressure put on the Zamalek gave the team great motivation. We are the only Egyptian team in African competitions and we do not want to be eliminated from the tournament. We aspire to win the title." said Moatamed Gamal in a pre-match press conference.
As for CR Belouizdad, they are also at the top of their game. The team comes away from a large victory (7-0) against ES Mostaganem in Algerian Ligue 1. The management separated from Sead Ramović, the coach. As a result, the team started a new dynamic. The left-back of CRB Youcef Laouafi announced the colors.
«We will do everything to win. If we don’t win this Friday, there will be a return match where anything is possible. We have to think only of ourselves and nothing else."
the 30-year-old said.
The surprising OC Safi facing USM Alger
OC Safi has an exceptional record in the CAF Cup. The Moroccan club brought out Wydad Casablanca in the previous round. In the semi-finals, USM Alger stands before him. A new challenge for the Moroccans. The first leg will be held this Saturday at 4 p.m. GMT, in Algiers.
Having recorded only one defeat since the beginning of the CAF Cup, just like OC Safi, USM Alger will challenge its opponent with a certain psychological ascendancy. The two teams have already played each other in the group stage this season. Les Algérois won (1-0) in Morocco on the second day before a goalless draw in Algeria on the 6th day.