CAF Champions League results- Wydad, Sundowns, Mazembe and Ahly progress to group stage
Most African giants have progressed to group stage of the CAF Champions League in unsurprising manner though many others await their fate in Sunday’s second leg fixtures.
The likes of Guinea outfit Horoya Athletic Club, who were crushed out by Ghanaian champions Medeama Sporting Club and Moroccan powerhouse FAR Rabat failed to make it to the money zone.
The Guinean side paid the price for a 3-1 first leg deficit, exiting despite beating Ghana’s Medeama SC 2-1 in the second leg. Medeama took the lead in the second leg in Guinea following Jonathan Sowah penalty goal but the visitors through Ocansey Mandela and Mohammed Keita fought back.
Defending champions Al Ahly beat Ethiopia’s Saint George 7-0 on aggregate with convincing 3-0 first leg and 4-0 second leg wins.
Former champions Wydad Casablanca continued their dominance over Hafia Conakry with a 3-0 second leg victory to complete a 4-1 aggregate win. Yahia Attiyat Allah and Hamdou Elhouni struck in the first half before Abdellah Haimoud goal completed the mission in the second half. Wydad extend their remarkable record of reaching the group stage to nine consecutive seasons as they chase a third CAF Champions League title.
Mamelodi Sundowns showed a dominant performance over Burundian side Bumamuru with a 2-0 win in the second leg in South Africa to seal a 6-0 aggregate success. Mothobi Mvala and Teboho Mokoena goals were enough for the PSL champions. The Brazilians remain in the hunt for a second Champions League crown after winning the tournament in 2016.
TP Mazembe marked a 3-year absence return to the group stage of the CAF Champions League following their 4-0 thrashing of Malawian side Nyasa Big Bullets to go through 5-0 on aggregate.
AS FAR of Morocco suffered Champions League heartbreak, crashing out after a 3-1 aggregate defeat to Tunisia’s Etoile Sportive du Sahel. Etoile won both legs 1-0 and 2-1 respectively to eliminate the shocked Moroccans.
ES Tunis progressed after a close contest with Ivorian side AS Douanes. Esperance won the first leg 1-0 in West Africa before drawing goalless in the second leg clash in Tunis.
Tanzania’s Young Africans also reached the group stage, edging Al Merreikh of Sudan 3-0 on aggregate after a 1-0 home win on Saturday.
