Egyptians take on South Africans in African Champions League semis
CAPE TOWN, April 17 (Reuters) - Two Egyptian clubs face two from South Africa this weekend in the semi-finals of this season's African Champions League in a rare bilateral contest.
Holders Al Ahly continue their bid for a fifth title in six seasons in Pretoria on Saturday against Mamelodi Sundowns, a side who once handed them a record defeat but have too often exited in the knockout stages after dominating the group phase.
Also on Saturday, Pyramids will be hoping to consolidate their fast-track emergence as a force in the African game when they take on Orlando Pirates in Soweto.
The return legs are both in Cairo next Friday with the winners advancing to the two-legged final at the end of May and in early June.
Egyptian giants Al Ahly are the dominant force in African football and have won 12 previous Champions League titles while the other three semi-finalists have two triumphs between them -- Pirates in 1995 and Sundowns in 2016.
But despite their strong track record, Ahly are not favourites after unconvincing performances in the league phase, where they were runners-up in their group.
There has been criticism of their Swiss coach Marc Koller in recent days after they also stumbled against Pyramids in the Egyptian league.
Sundowns handed Ahly a record 5-0 defeat in the 2019 quarter-finals and also scored five against them in Pretoria two years ago in the group phase.
But the South African club, owned by the family of Confederation of African Football president Patrice Motsepe, have a long history of falling short in the knockout rounds.
SAUDI INVESTORS
Pyramids are competing in the Champions League for only the second time.
The club was formed in 2008 but moved to Cairo a decade later after being taken over by Saudi investors and are well placed to win a first Egyptian championship at the end of this season.
Opponents Pirates were one of only two unbeaten sides in the group competition and have won three away matches in north Africa in this season's campaign.
But they will need home success on Saturday to ensure a defendable lead to take to Cairo for the return leg.
It is not the first time clubs from two countries have clashed in both Champions League semi-finals.
In the 2020, Al Ahly beat Morocco's Wydad Casablanca 5-1 on aggregate in their semi-final, while Zamalek were too good for Raja Casablanca, winning 4-1 over their two ties.
Al Ahly edged Cairo rivals Zamalek 2-1 in the final in the Egyptian capital.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South Wales Guardian
11 minutes ago
- South Wales Guardian
Jamal Musiala hits hat-trick as Bayern Munich put ten past Auckland
Vincent Kompany's Bundesliga champions led 6-0 at half-time of the Group C contest in Cincinnati thanks to braces from Kingsley Coman and Michael Olise, plus finishes from Sacha Boey and Thomas Muller. Having been unable to add his name to the scoresheet against the outclassed New Zealand part-timers, England captain Kane was replaced by Musiala with 29 minutes remaining. Ⓜ️&Ⓜ️ What a second half by Müller & Musiala! 🪄😍#FCBACFC #FIFACWC #FCBayern #MiaSanMia — FC Bayern (@FCBayernEN) June 15, 2025 The substitute claimed Bayern's next three goals, with his second coming from the penalty spot, before Muller completed the biggest win in the competition's history by doubling his tally late on. Lionel Messi was denied by the crossbar in added time as Inter Miami were held to a goalless draw by Egyptian side Al Ahly in the tournament opener. With Sir David Beckham among a crowd of 60,927 for the Group A match at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Argentina captain Messi saw his late cross-shot pushed onto the frame of the goal by Al Ahly goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy. Former Aston Villa forward Trezeguet had a first-half penalty saved by Miami keeper Oscar Ustari.
North Wales Chronicle
23 minutes ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Jamal Musiala hits hat-trick as Bayern Munich put ten past Auckland
Vincent Kompany's Bundesliga champions led 6-0 at half-time of the Group C contest in Cincinnati thanks to braces from Kingsley Coman and Michael Olise, plus finishes from Sacha Boey and Thomas Muller. Having been unable to add his name to the scoresheet against the outclassed New Zealand part-timers, England captain Kane was replaced by Musiala with 29 minutes remaining. Ⓜ️&Ⓜ️ What a second half by Müller & Musiala! 🪄😍#FCBACFC #FIFACWC #FCBayern #MiaSanMia — FC Bayern (@FCBayernEN) June 15, 2025 The substitute claimed Bayern's next three goals, with his second coming from the penalty spot, before Muller completed the biggest win in the competition's history by doubling his tally late on. Lionel Messi was denied by the crossbar in added time as Inter Miami were held to a goalless draw by Egyptian side Al Ahly in the tournament opener. With Sir David Beckham among a crowd of 60,927 for the Group A match at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Argentina captain Messi saw his late cross-shot pushed onto the frame of the goal by Al Ahly goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy. Former Aston Villa forward Trezeguet had a first-half penalty saved by Miami keeper Oscar Ustari.
Daily Mirror
24 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Enzo Maresca left with huge Chelsea calls ahead of Club World Cup opportunity
Chelsea will represent the Premier League in the FIFA Club World Cup off the back of winning the Europa Conference League and there is plenty of intrigue surrounding Enzo Maresca's side Enzo Maresca has already won a European trophy and booked a place in next season's Champions League. But in reality, Maresca is still only on par. While no-one would admit it publicly, it would have been a failure if Chelsea had not lifted the Europa Conference League trophy and getting back on European football's biggest stage was always the target. And yet the Club World Cup offers not just the incentive of a £97m jackpot for the winners but also a huge opportunity for Chelsea. This could be the tournament which puts them back among the elite and, almost as importantly, gives them a chance to start shaping their future. This is also about what Chelsea can get out of this tournament as a squad. When appointing Maresca last year, the club made it clear they viewed the 2024/25 and 2025/26 seasons almost as two years rolled into one. Why? The unique nature of the Club World Cup threw up a new challenge but also a big opportunity. They have spent big ahead of the tournament in the United States, adding Mike Penders, Mamadou Sarr, Dario Essugo and Liam Delap and putting them straight into their 28 man squad for the Club World Cup. They spent £30m on Delap and now comes the question over whether he can challenge Nicolas Jackson to be the club's first choice No9. Jackson can be rash, unreliable and temperamental as getting sent off at Newcastle in the run-in proved. But he is also strong, improving and, for Senegal against England, he has shown big potential. Now comes Delap who was sought-after by a string of clubs and it now remains to be seen whether he is good enough to win his place as first choice or provide the sort of competition which Jackson needs to focus his mind. The line-ups in the United States - starting against Los Angeles FC in Atlanta on Monday - should be very revealing about that striker dynamic. Equally, the keeper issue is yet to be resolved. They were so adamant that Robert Sanchez was going to stay No1, had the club's full backing - and yet then went for AC Milan keeper Mike Maignan. They could not get a deal done but may yet revisit it but stressed it was an opportunity which popped up. However, it still reveals that there are doubts over the keeper issue and they do have a young gem in Mike Penders who has been out on loan but is highly-regarded. Chelsea's Filip Jörgensen played the Conference League final but there can be no doubt that a convincing No1 would really improve the whole team and give the team more confidence. What happens in the United States should be really revealing on that front. Quite how far Chelsea go will also shape their plans for next season because they want to give players a break and yet the Premier League starts just five weeks after the Club World Cup final on July 13. That is a dilemma for a lot of clubs and managers. But the worry for Chelsea is that there is an acceptance they have still got ground to make up on Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City. But starting as a disadvantage while giving their main rivals a head start is exactly what Chelsea do not need. They must get the balance right between wanting to win but also being recharged and ready for next season. The other fascinating dynamic is that arguably Chelsea's most exciting young signing is playing at the Club World Cup - just not for them. They paid £29m for Estevao Willian who was courted by every big club in Europe. Chelsea landed him but allowed him to stay at Palmeiras for another year and the Brazilian club are in Group A. There will be a lot of excitement about this 18-year-old and it could catch light in the United States. He is so skilful, such a terrific dribbler and is hugely entertaining.
