The masterminds: Coaches shaping the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League quarter-finals

The quarter-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League will not only be an occasion to witness some of the best talents the African game has to offer, but also an interesting mix of tactical brains on the touchline.

From the decorated European gaffers to the successful African tacticians, the eight coaches whose teams will be vying for the last four spots in the Champions League have the biggest say in the outcome of the quarter-finals.

Ahead of the first leg of the quarter-final that starts this weekend, let’s take a deeper look at the brains behind the teams that will be battling it out in the Champions League quarter-finals.

Esperance vs Al Ahly

Patrice Beaumelle - Esperance de Tunis  

Patrice Beaumelle is the man in charge at the Tunisian giants during the transition period in the club’s history and has set about putting the tactical structure and discipline that the club is known for.

Beaumelle has worked with some of the best gaffers in Africa, including the likes of Herve Renard with Zambia and Ivory Coast, and has since gone on to take charge of the Ivory Coast national team and later into club football.

Beaumelle is the kind of coach whose teams are known to be disciplined and pragmatic, with the focus being on the defensive structure and possession football.

Against Al Ahly, Beaumelle is likely to set up his side with the main objective being to frustrate the Egyptians and take the three points when the two teams face off in the first leg.

Jess Thorup – Al Ahly

Jess Thorup is the Danish gaffer whose tactical approach is far removed from the pragmatic style that Patrice Beaumelle is likely to set up with his team.

Thorup has worked with some of the biggest clubs in Denmark, including FC Copenhagen and Midtjylland, and is known for his proactive style that involves pressing and rotation with quick transitions into attack.

Since taking charge, Thorup has continued the club’s tradition of solid defence, while introducing a new approach to attack.

In the tie against Esperance, Thorup might employ a balanced strategy. In all likelihood, Al Ahly will press hard in the middle of the pitch but be cautious away from home, seeking a good result before heading back to Cairo to face Esperance in the return leg.

Mamelodi Sundowns vs Stade Malien

Miguel Cardoso – Mamelodi Sundowns

Cardoso has continued the ball possession strategy that Sundowns have employed in previous seasons.

Cardoso, a Portuguese coach, likes a structured approach, employing a possession-based strategy, pressing hard, and retaining possession of the ball.

Cardoso’s strategy has ensured that Sundowns dominate possession, forcing opponents to defend deep into their own half of the pitch.

In the tie against Stade Malien, Sundowns are likely to dominate possession, pressing hard, and keeping the opponents on the back foot, with the defence pressing high up the pitch. However, Cardoso might need to ensure that Sundowns do not get caught on the counter.

Mauril Mesack Njoya  - Stade Malien  Njoya, a Cameroonian, has been a revelation this Champions League campaign, employing a unique strategy to ensure Stade Malien remains competitive against more financially endowed opponents.

Njoya’s strategy has ensured Stade Malien becomes a solid, disciplined, and resilient side, capable of competing with any opponent.

Stade Malien, under Njoya, might employ a solid defence, pressing hard, and employing a counter-attacking strategy to exploit any gaps left at the back by Sundowns’ full-backs, who might be more focused on attack than defence.

FAR Rabat vs Pyramids FC

Alexandre Santos – FAR Rabat

 

Alexandre Santos, a Portuguese, has helped FAR Rabat achieve a new level of balance in the club’s strategy.

Santos is a manager who likes a system of play that is based on defensive structure and efficient attacking play.

Physically powerful teams that are disciplined and have a potent set-piece game are the hallmark of the teams that he takes charge of.

However, in the knock-out format of football matches, the approach of the manager is slightly different.

Against Pyramids FC, the approach of FAR Rabat is expected to be based on defensive solidity and efficient attacking play.

Krunoslav Jurčić – Pyramids FC

Krunoslav Jurčić is the manager of the Egyptian football club Pyramids FC. He is a Croatian manager who has introduced a sense of tactical intensity and attacking flair to the team.

Jurčić is a manager who likes to play attacking football. He likes his teams to press the opponents very high up the pitch.

Jurčić likes to play attacking football. He likes his teams to press the opponents very high up the pitch.

Jurčić likes to play attacking football. He likes his teams to press the opponents very high up the pitch.

Against FAR Rabat, the approach of the manager is expected to be based on the team dictating the pace of the game and looking to dominate the attacking play.

RS Berkane vs Al Hilal

Moine Chaabani - RS Berkane  

Moine Chaabani is arguably one of the most respected coaches in North African football.

The Tunisian tactician previously had considerable success at Esperance before taking charge at RS Berkane.

Chaaban’s style of play is characterised by his tactical acumen.

Under his guidance, Berkane have developed into a well-balanced side capable of dictating the pace of games.

However, Chaabani may look to employ tactical prudence and attacking fluidity in his side’s encounter against Al Hilal.

Laurențiu Reghecampf – Al Hilal  

Laurențiu Reghecampf is a Romanian tactician with considerable experience in international football.

Reghecampf has previously managed clubs in Europe and the Middle East.

He is known for his preference for an attacking style of play characterised by swift ball movement and aggressive flank play.

Reghecampf may employ a tactical approach in his side’s encounter against Berkane, particularly in an away fixture.