The CAF Champions League semi-finals will reach a crescendo with two thrilling matchups. First, at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Mamelodi Sundowns will host Esperance Tunis in the crucial second leg of their semi-final clash. Esperance Tunis carries a slender 1-0 lead from the first leg in Rades. With all eyes on Mamelodi Sundowns, they aim to overturn the deficit and secure their spot in the final after Yan Sasse’s decisive 41st-minute goal set the stage for an intense battle.The Brazilians may have stumbled in the first leg, falling 0-1 to ES Tunis, but history shows they’ve never lost both legs against a single opponent in the knockout phase of the competition. Meanwhile, ES Tunis eyes their eighth final appearance, their first since 2018-19, while Mamelodi Sundowns aim to make history by reaching the final for the third time.Mamelodi Sundowns boast an impressive home record, having lost just one of their last 31 home games in the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League. ES Tunis, however, has been solid defensively, not conceding a goal in their last seven games and hitting the woodwork four times this season. With both teams leading the charts for 10+ passes sequences in open play, expect a battle of possession and strategy.##NAJAVA_MECA_8065386##Meanwhile, at the Al-Salam Stadium in Egypt’s capital, Al-Ahly will play host to Mazembe in the return leg of their semi-final clash. Last week’s first leg ended in a tense stalemate, leaving everything to play for in this highly anticipated encounter.Al-Ahly, dubbed the Red Devils, have been a force to be reckoned with in the tournament, clinching the top spot in their group with two decisive victories in their final matches against Medeama and Young Africans. They carried this momentum into the quarter-finals, dispatching Simba with ease in both legs. However, in the first leg against Mazembe, they appeared somewhat subdued, with an xG score indicating a lack of cutting edge. Nonetheless, they managed to secure a draw, which they will view as a positive outcome going into this crucial fixture.Cote d’Ivoire ring changes with new backroom staff ahead of Harambee Stars, Gabon gamesDespite their dominance in continental competitions, Al-Ahly’s form in the Egyptian Premier League has been less than stellar, languishing in 11th place with 21 points from 11 matches. Nevertheless, they remain a formidable force on their home turf and will be eager to capitalize on their home advantage against Mazembe.CAF sanctions USM Alger following jersey dispute in CAF Confederation Cup semifinalMazembe, on the other hand, finished second in their group but displayed resilience in the quarter-finals, grinding out a victory against Petro de Luanda in the away leg with a dramatic late goal. In the Congolese Ligue 1, they have been in scintillating form, notching up ten consecutive wins and sitting comfortably atop the table.##NAJAVA_MECA_8065387##As the teams prepare to face off, here are some intriguing facts and head-to-head history;-1.Only one out of the last five encounters between these teams has seen over 2.5 goals scored.2.Both teams have only scored in one out of their last five matches against each other.3.Al-Ahly holds the upper hand in home matches against Mazembe, having secured victories in two out of their encounters.
