The CAF Champions League, the premier club cup competition on the continent, saw a culmination of the group stage matches with qualified teams now looking to battle it out in the quarterfinals onwards, the knockout stages where the rubber meets the road and it is all systems go, one small miscalculation and it is ‘good-bye and thank you’.In this piece, we look at some pointers on the group stage that was for Al Ahly, Mamelodi Sundowns, and Simba.1. Trust Al Ahly to always find a way.When Al Hilal missed a last-minute penalty in their game against Mamelodi Sundowns in Sudan, Al Ahly must have known that now their fate lay in their own hands. Over the years there is nothing as dangerous on the African football scene as a wounded Al Ahly. With 50,000 fans in full voice, Florent Ibenge coached Al Hilal faced a herculean task before a ball was even kicked and duly Al Ahly ran away with the game, emerging emphatic 3-0 winners.##NAJAVA_MECA_7153538##With Al Ahly through, all qualified teams will be on high alert now, and the ‘Club of the Century’ will be out for blood. With the Egyptian club still bitter after losing the final against Wydad Casablance, a game marred by controversy, they will look to go one better this season so they can rub shoulders once again with the elite teams in the club football.There is every reason to fear Al Ahly with Marcel Kohler in charge and Percy Tau starting to rekindle the form that saw him get to the English Premier League. Tau has 5 goals contributions for Al Ahly in the CAF Champions League in the last 3 games and with the consideration of Ali Malooul, Mohammed Hany, and El Shennawy as seasoned competitors, the Al Ahly threat is very much alive.2. Flawless Sundowns.Appointing such a young coach after doing away with an experimental triple coach mode might have in many enthusiasts’ books ruled out the ability of Mamelodi Sundowns to push for a credible title charge at the CAF Champions League, but woe unto those enthusiasts.36-year-old Rhulani Mokwena has gone ahead and created a winning machine. Mamelodi Sundowns are a joy to watch, an utter joy to watch. How the team moves the ball between the phases of play, working on pressing situations and the freedom in attacking situations has caused most people to christen them the ‘Brighton and Hove Albion” of African football. Battle at Nyayo Stadium: Pre-match tactical analysis of AFC Leopards vs TuskerCoach Rhulani suggested that the team does not have an obsession with winning the Champions League, stating further that as an obsession, it would mean the team will capitulate if it did not win. This statement was to rightly reduce the pressure and expectations of the “ Masandawana” faithful. However, it is an open secret how the Motsepe family-funded team would bite your arm off for CAF Champions League glory. They have amassed talents from as far as Chile in Marcelo Allende and Bolivian Erwin Saveedra. Having already won the Premier Soccer League title in their home country after just 23 games, the focus will now fully shift to the Champions League. This is a team that will win many hearts and neutrals as well.3. Simba harnessing the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium magic.Tanzanian giants Simba Sports Club emerged second in Group C. This was ideally the expected outcome in the group with Raja Casablanca expected to win the group with second place in a straight shootout between Simba and Horoya AC. After a rather discouraging display against Horoya where Simba were exposed with long balls into the channel, the Robertinho-coached team dusted themselves well, defeating Horoya convincingly at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.Wafungaji wa magoli 🔟 tuliyofunga kwenye hatua ya makundi ya Ligi ya Mabingwa Afrika.Kesho tutamjua mpinzani wetu wa robo fainali. #WenyeNchi #NguvuMoja pic.twitter.com/RC9x7MG3ot— Simba Sports Club (@SimbaSCTanzania) April 4, 2023 With players such as Clautous Chama, Kanoute Sadio, Pape Ousman Sakho, Henock Baka, and Kenyan defender Joash Onyango, Simba has the backbone of talent and grit to pose a challenge to anyone who lines up against them. The well-oiled Simba machine with Coach Robertinho’s emphasis on fluid movement among the front four will clearly cause a few headaches, especially with their near-maverick home following.The Benjamin Mkapa stadium which hosts Simba has been the backbone of the team. The stadium is filled with red jerseys when Simba are playing and the country literally comes to a standstill. This cult-like following has seen teams find it hard to beat Simba at home, every club in the pool found the going tough at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium “ Kwa Mkapa” all teams except Raja Casablanca. On aggregate Simba has conceded 6 goals against the Moroccan outfit. The dismal display by Simba over the two games and their poor performance against Horoya has raised eye brows on whether Coach Robertinho’s charges have what it takes in the hostile away environment of the Champions League. A matter of steely mentality. Simba will look to ride on their luck and flair to spring some surprises in the competition.
