Three mouth watering matches are on the cards on Saturday afternoon as teams across the continent battle to get the advantage in the first leg ties of their 2022/2023 CAF Champions League quarter final clashes.Simba vs Wydad – 1600EATIn the first clash of the afternoon, Tanzanian giants Simba will face a herculean task when they welcome defending champions Wydad in a match that is certain to bring Dar es Salaam to a standstill when the two sides clash at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium.🚉 Safari ya kimataifa itaendelea kesho.#TotalEnergiesCAFCL #WenyeNchi #NguvuMoja pic.twitter.com/6XpjpZiYCE— Simba Sports Club (@SimbaSCTanzania) April 21, 2023 Having managed to finish second in Group C behind Raja Casablanca for a place in the last 8, Simba face the task of upsetting a Wydad side that topped Group A.While Simba will be depending on their home atmosphere to get a favourable result ahead of the return tie, the visiting Wydad will be banking on their experience to get the second leg advantage.##NAJAVA_MECA_7203225##”We must make use of the 12th man who are our fans. Simba SC is well prepared to face Wydad in the quarter final first leg,” head coach Roberto Oliviera rallied his Wekundu wa Msimbazi side.”We respect Simba SC, but we are here to try and get a win so that we qualify for the next stage,” Wydad’s Carlos Carrido said.Ready to make our return to African football 👊#DimaWydad pic.twitter.com/glA6H1A7pt— Wydad Athletic Club (@WACofficiel) April 20, 2023 CR Belouizdad vs Mamelodi Sundowns – 10PM EATLater that evening, South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns, who have raised their hands as one of the competition favourites face Algeria’s CR Belouizdad who are aiming to advance beyond the quarter-final stage for this first time.Following their stellar finish at the top of Group B in the group stages ahead of Al Ahly, the Brazilians who come the disappointment of being knocked out of the Nedbank Cup will be keen to get back a favourable result but head coach Rulani Mokwena admitting they need to dig deep.Another massive clash awaits in North Africa! 🌍⚽ CR Belouizdad vs Mamelodi Sundowns 📆 22 April⏰ 21H00🏟 Nelson Mandela Stadium🏆 CAF Champions League📺 SS 202📲 #Sundowns #TotalEnergiesCAFCL pic.twitter.com/zSn2b0H47w— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) April 19, 2023 “We know that going to Algeria will be something difficult for us, particularly with the travelling and trying to map our way between the domestic fixtures. It is a draw that we accept with a lot of humility, but also with a clear understanding that it is going to be difficult. Belouizdad is a very good side even though they finished second in their group with 10 points. They have had a good campaign in the Champions League, and in their domestic league where they sit in the first position. They are a very interesting side with impressive tactical formations and structures with good players and play a similar 4-3-3 and 4-2-2,” the head coach said.Kenyan trio brace for quarter final action in CAF CL and CCAl Ahly vs Raja CasablancaIn a corresponding explosive tie, competition record holders Al Ahly will be looking to start strongly when they welcome Raja CA who are yearning for a CAF Champions League gold medal, having last won it in 1999.In the first quarter final fixture, Tunisia’s Esperance drew first blood in their clash against Algeria’s JS Kabylie, winning 1-0 away from home to earn a precious first leg advantage.Mohamed Ali Ben Hammouda notched the vital goal in the second half to give Taraji the slim advantage heading into next weekend’s corresponding fixture in Rades.Title credentials at stake for in-form Tusker and patchy Gor Mahia in mouthwatering Saturday clashes
