TotalEnergies CAF Champions League Match Day 5 Pre-Match Quotes
TotalEnergies CAF Champions League Match Day 5 action officially gets underway this weekend as teams race towards a place in the knockout stages of Africa’s premier club competition.
This is what some of the coaches and players had to say ahead of their respective clashes this weekend.
JS Kabylie vs Al Ahly SC
Jess Thorup - Al Ahly FC Coach
"We've been playing a lot of matches lately, between the CAF Champions League and the national championship. The players are spending more time in hotels than with their families. We brought back a point from our trip to Tanzania, where we played in very difficult conditions. We will face a JS Kabylie team that, even though it has only collected two points, remains tough. Despite our points advantage, we will play to win and secure our qualification for the quarterfinals."
Mohamed El-Shenawi - Al Ahly FC Goalkeeper
"There are never any easy matches. We know that all matches against Algerian teams are difficult. JS Kabylie is a very respectable team and it will also benefit from the support of their fans. However, we are determined to win in order to secure our qualification for the quarterfinals. We, the players, are ready for this game."
Joseph Zinnbauer JS Kabylie Head Coach
"As long as there is a chance to qualify for the quarterfinals, we will give it our all. Mathematically, we can still qualify and that starts with a win against Al Ahly. It won't be easy because it is the best team in Africa. I have faith in my players. I know they will give their all. Now, I'm waiting for the fans to have faith in their team. We cannot succeed without the support of the fans. I hope they'll be there in force. In any case, we'll give it our all."
Mohamed Reda Hamidi – JS Kabylie Player
"In the CAF Champions League, matches are never easy. It is different from the national championship. However, we give our all and manage to hold our own against our opponents, as demonstrated by our last match against AS FAR, where we lost due to an individual error after having scoring opportunities. As long as qualification remains possible, we will fight, even though we are going through a difficult period. Al Ahly needs no introduction, it is the most decorated club in Africa, but JS Kabylie also has a name in Africa and must live up to its reputation."
Power Dynamos vs RS Berkane
Oswald Mutapa - Power Dynamos Head Coach.
“This is an important game not just to us but to Berkane. However, our aim is to push for maximum points. We have played this team before and unfortunately, we lost the first game. However, there are a lot of lessons to pick from that game, and this is going to be a very different game. We will work hard to get maximum points and score more goals.
Prince Mumba - Power Dynamos Captain
“We are not under any pressure because we are coming from a victory which gives us a lot of confidence. ‘The victory in Nigeria is a morale booster for us as players. You can easily feel the positive mood in camp and we are hoping to do the same tomorrow when we face Berkane. We must work extra hard in tomorrow’s game by utilising our chances and try to make them uncomfortable from the start”
Mouin Chaabani - RS Berkane Head Coach
“This match is very important to us. It will also be a very interesting game as you know these two teams know each other very well. But we also know that we have a very good chance to qualify to the next stage. We are not under pressure despite knowing that this is a crucial game. We have prepared adequately for the encounter”
Zineddine Machach - RS Berkane Midfielder
“We are coming from a defeat against Pyramids. So, it is important for us to ensure that we win tomorrow’s game to have a very good chance of progressing. However, we also know that Power Dynamos is a very good team which makes this game very interesting”