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 NEWSMazembe, Etoile wrestle for final semis ticket 09-17-2009
Two-time champions T.P. Mazembe of DR Congo and Tunisia’s Etoile du Sahel will battle out for the remaining semi-final ticket in the ultimate group phase clash of the Orange/CAF Champions League this weekend. Nigerian duo, Heartland FC and Kano Pillars and Al-Hilal of Sudan made certain of their places at the last four during the penultimate rounds of matches last week. Pillars and Hilal are from Group ‘A’ whilst Heartland is the only Group ‘B’ side to reach the last four. The centre of attraction will be the 35,000-capacity Municipal Stadium in Lubumbashi which will host the Mazembe-Etoile clash as the other three matches will basically serve academic purposes. The most interesting thing about the encounter is that, Mazembe, African champions in 1969 and 1970 need just a point to go through whilst only the maximum point will be enough for the ‘Brigade Rouge.’ For Etoile, winners in 2007, it is also their toughest test of a campaign they are yet to pick a point away and managed only seven points, of a possible nine at their favourite Olympic Stadium in Sousse. Inconsistency has blighted the continental campaign of the ‘Brigade Rouge’, hoping to stun the Crows at their backyard to remain on course for a third successive appearance in the finals of a major continental championship. Etoile beat Al-Ahly of Egypt 3-1 on aggregate in the final of the premier club competition in 2007 before bowing to compatriots CS Sfaxien in the second tier competition, Confederation Cup last year. Despite managing a 2-1 win in their earlier meeting in Sousse last month, Etoile Coach Lofti Rhim is aiming to replicate a similar feat in front of an expectant crowd at the Municipal Stadium. “The most important thing is to collect all three points against Mazembe at their backyard in the final game.” Yet to drop a point at home, ‘The Crows’ appear in no mood to chart that course and certainly not at a crucial time as this. French trainer Diego Garzito will be relying on the magic of playmaker Tresor Mputu Mabi, offensive midfielder Bedi Mbenza coupled with the attacking prowess of Zambian-import Given Singuluma to avenge the first round loss. In the other Group B match, Zimbabwean champions, Monomotapa will be seeking to end their debut continental campaign on a winning note as they host Heartland at the Rufaro Stadium in Harare. Monomotapa, ousters of 1998 African champions, ASEC Mimosas of Cote d’Ivoire have flattered to deceive after an inspiring 2-1 victory over Etoile in the opening match of the group phase. Incidentally it remains their only win and they have since let in 12 goals in the last four games. Heartland on the otherhand, will use the game to boost their standings ahead of the semi finals. In Group ‘A’, semifinalists Pillras and Hilal are away to Al-Merrikh of Sudan and Zambia’s Zesco United. The first and second placed clubs after the round-robin will qualify for the semi-finals with the eventual winners advancing to the final. The winner will represent the continent at the FIFA Club World Cup slated for UAE later in the year. Fixtures 19-9-2009 Al Merrikh (Sudan) vs. Kano Pillars (Nigeria) Group A 19-9-2009 Zesco United (Zambia) vs. Al Hilal (Sudan) Group A 20-9-2009 Monomotapa (Zimbabwe) vs. Heartland FC (Nigeria) Group B 20-9-2009 TP Mazembe (DR Congo) vs. ES Sahel (Tunisia) B |
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