The premier club cup competition in Africa, the CAF Champions League group stage kicked off on Friday 10th February. With last year’s winners Wydad Casablanca and runner’s up Al Ahly missing due to club world cup duty, it was time for the rest to stake their name among the teams to watch out for.Below are the main take-aways from the first match day and some tactical snippets on some teams.1. This could actually be Mamelodi Sundowns’ yearArdent followers of ‘Bafana Ba Style’ and most PSL coaches will tell you, “Do not let Mamelodi Sundowns have the ball”. The Rhulani Mokwena led team kept up their winning streak with 16 wins on the row now.When Florent Ibenge’s Al Hilal showed up in South Africa a firecracker of a match was expected. However Sundowns made light work of the team with a 1-0 score line flattering the visitors.The CAF Champions League match day one team of the week is here! 🔴Mamelodi Sundowns have 3 players in there. 🇿🇦👏#CAFCLwithMicky#TotalEnergiesCAFCL pic.twitter.com/0HZJytEUGC— Micky Jnr ✪ (@MickyJnr__) February 14, 2023 Ibenge’s team set-up in a 1-4-5-1 formation off the ball, looking to concede territory to Sundowns and looked to catch them out on the counter with runs in behind especially on the left side catching out Mudau the Sundowns rightback who makes forays forward mostly and also using their right hand side to let crosses in. Here Binge shot himself in the foot as Sundowns settled into the game, they settled into a 3-2 buildup shape with their goalkeeper Ronwen Williams joining the split centerbacks and the left-back Modiba Aubrey inverting to join Mokoena, this let Allende, Mkhulise and Maema to roam between the spaces and this was the danger as good combination play let Maema through who with a shot was parried by the keeper and saw in form academy youngster Cassius” Cash Money” Mailula tap home the rebound.Senegalese youngster was Harry Kane’s opponent in Qatar – and now he’s Tottenham’s biggest revelationSundowns with their positional play, good structure off the ball with pressing triggers in a 1-4-4-2 diamond and the threat posed by lethal Peter Shalulile and Chilean Marcelo Allende, are clearly one of the favorites already. How they adapt to away games against top North African opposition and improved use of set pieces, will be the real test but watch out for Rhulani’s troops.
2. Simba’s game of two halvesTanzanian giants Simba looked to spoil the party when they paid a visit to Horoya AC in Guinea. It was a game of two halves as Simba Coach Roberthinho stated with his team out of sorts in the first half. The 1-4-2-3-1 shape employed in the first half saw Horoya pepper the Simba goal with chance after chance. Horoya had set out to use the spaces in behind the Simba fullbacks and bypassed the midfield anytime they had the ball. Poor marking from Simba saw Horoya get corner and a beautiful header from the far post saw them grab a deserved goal through Pape Ndiaye.CAF CHAMPION LEAGUEFT: Horoya AC 1-0 Simba Sc⚽ P. N’diaye pic.twitter.com/ASKu4s00uy— Godson jackson (@Godson10081455) February 11, 2023 Top tactician Robertinho then hooked off Pape Sakho for Captain John Bocco and switched to a 1-4-4-2 with Bocco looking to drop and get knock ons for the advancing Chama and also combine well with Kibu Dennis. Bocco’s second half performance was by far the best in the Simba ranks with the additions of Kibu Dennis and Moses Phiri posing a main threat.##NAJAVA_MECA_7023604##The double strike partnership could be something Roberthinho reflects on using in the competition, however there is need to fix the flanks especially defending when turned out wide of Kapombe and Husseini the fullbacks to not isolate Henock and Joash Onyango.3. It will be tough to visit North Africa, ask VipersThey say in the African footballing sphere that the three certain things in the world are death, taxes and leaving North Africa empty handed. Ugandan outfit Vipers were on the receiving end in Casablanca as some horrific goalkeeping from their Goalkeeper Mudekereza who caused early blunders early on saw Vipers go behind by two goals in the first 11 minutes.CAF CHAMPION LEAGUEFT: Horoya AC 1-0 Simba Sc⚽ P. N’diaye pic.twitter.com/ASKu4s00uy— Godson jackson (@Godson10081455) February 11, 2023 Vipers had no answer for the Raja 1-4-4-2 diamond shape as Hamza Khaba turned on the style. Raja were unstoppable with third man runs and late closing down on the edge of the box saw them win by 5 goals.A major wake up call for the Ugandans who need to sort out their box defending if they are to win any game in what is a tough group. CAFCL: Uganda’s Vipers handed five star thrashing by Raja on group stage debut
4. Zamalek stutterZamalek FC entertained CR Belouizdad in a top North African Derby Clash. It was a dull first half with both teams opting for caution. Zamalek who have a poor run of form coming into the game conceded a penalty in the 57th minute where Leonel Wamba calmly slotted home to pile misery on the Egyptian giants. The resolute defending by both teams’ shows there is no need for concern on that front however the finishing is where the main work should be done.