After very tight first leg encounters, the 2021/2022 CAF Confederation Cup quarter-finals head into the return ties today evening with all eight remaining teams looking to grab one of the only four tickets available to the semifinals of the continental competition.From the first leg matches, only Simba, home to Kenyan international Joash Onyango and Al Masry earned the victory, but the ties remain close calls heading into Sunday’s round as the other two games are leveled at 0-0.Ahead of the clashes here’s a preview of the games.Orlando Pirates vs Simba, Orlando Stadium, Johannesburg, 1900EATSimba arrive in Johannesburg on the backdrop of a 1-0 victory in Dar es Salaam last weekend and are looking to complete the home and away victory over the Buccaneers to earn a continental semi-final slot.However, standing in their way is a hurting Pirates seeking to overturn the result on home soil. The Sea Robbers are looking to exploit a Simba side that has not fared well away from home, with their coach Pablo Franco admitting their away record has been a concern this season as they suffered defeats to RS Berkane and Asec Mimosas while they drew with US Gendermerie in the group phase.Franco is however determined to change that script and help Simba, who are boosted with the return of Joash, go past the semifinals for the first time since 1993.🇿🇦 @orlandopirates 🆚 @SimbaSCTanzania 🇹🇿🏟️ Orlando Stadium🏆 #TotalEnergiesCAFCC quarter-finals⌚ 16:00 GMTEnjoy the clash! 🍿 pic.twitter.com/zVRriEfdWJ— TotalEnergies CAFCL – TotalEnergies CAFCC 🏆 (@CAFCLCC) April 24, 2022 “It has been 29 years since we played the final of this competition. Tanzanians are eager to see their team reach such a stage again and we are prepared to overcome the test by first knocking out Orlando Pirates,” the coach is quoted on Simba’s website.”We have a mission to accomplish. We know that we have a deficit and that we need to score two clear goals as a draw of any kind is not good enough. We have that mindset of overturning that and the players look prepared. I am highly optimistic we will achieve that,” Pirates coach Mandla Ncikazi said.☠️ 🚨 𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗖𝗛 𝗗𝗔𝗬 🚨🏆 #TotalEnergiesCAFCC 2nd Leg Quarterfinal⚽️ @orlandopirates 🇿🇦 vs @SimbaSCTanzania 🇹🇿 📆 Today, 24 April 2022🏟 Orlando Stadium 🕕 18h00 SAST📺 SS PSL🎫 @Computicket 👉🏿 https://t.co/UAJzVRbngP⚫⚪🔴⭐#Matchday #OrlandoPirates #OnceAlways pic.twitter.com/PCM4T7GRmq— Orlando Pirates FC (@orlandopirates) April 24, 2022 TP Mazembe vs Pyramids, Stade TP Mazembe de Lubumbashi, 1600EATTP Mazembe from the Democratic Republic of Congo host Pyramids in the return fixture set for Lubumbashi with the tie evenly matched after a 0-0 result from the first leg played in Cairo last weekend.Mazembe need to stop Pyramids from scoring as an away goal still counts in the competitionMazembe tactician Franck Dumas remains confident his side which lost only once in the group phase can make the most of their home advantage and progress to another continental semi-final.Pyramids will however not be an easy opponent for the Ravens but they will rely on the fact that they have been blowing hot and cold away from home.Pyramids who lost in the finals of the 2020 season are eager to make another semi-final and their head coach Ehab Galal, who is set to join the national team, is keen to ensure he finishes his assignment with Pyramids on a high.Al Ahli Tripoli – Al Ittihad, Martyrs of Benina Stadium, Benina, 2300EATThe second installment of the Libyan derby will be held in Benina after last weekend’s first leg ended goallessly. With the return tie, Ittihad will look to hurt their opponents with an away goal as any scoring draw or win will sail them through to the last four.Tripoli will meanwhile have to win the match to progress and they will be keen to maximize their home advantage.CAFCL: Record champions Al Ahly, ES Setif, Petro Athletico and Wydad seal last four placesRS Berkane – Al Masry, Stade Municipal de Berkane, 0100EAT MondayAl Masry had a performance to remember in the first leg, beating Morocco’s RS Berkane 2-1 despite playing most of the match with nine men. Despite the lead, the tie promises to be far from over as Berkane host the return fixture on Sunday.Head coach Florent Ibenge is under the microscope but has promised that his side will show more consistency and determination to overturn the result.Ready for the #CAFCC quarter-final second league ⚽️Ready for you 💪🏼 pic.twitter.com/WYyHWkaJxh— RS Berkane (@RSBfootball) April 24, 2022 On the other end, Mouine Chaabani and his charges are confident. The first leg showed their ability to tame a troublesome opponent despite their numerical handicap. The two red-carded players, Amr Moussa and Elyes Jelassi will miss the return fixture in Berkane, giving Masry a headache for their replacement. However, the Egyptian side will pick optimism from their first-leg performance.Additional Reporting by CAF.
