Weekend in Quotes: TotalEnergies CAF Champions League, CAF Confederation Cup

The TotalEnergies CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup officially entered the exciting knockout stages of the Quarter-Finals this past weekend.

All eight clubs in the two respective competitions were in action in the highly contested first leg duels.

These are reactions from the coaches post the first leg results:

 

TotalEnergies CAF Champions League

Simba AC 0 – 1 Al Ahly SC

Abdelhak Benchikha – Simba SC Coach 

"I want to apologise to Simba fans for the loss to Al Ahly.  They got only one chance and used it, yet we had several chances but never utilised them appropriately. At this level of football you must use your chances against a big club like Al Ahly or else you suffer the consequences which are usually bitter. We have not given up. We want to use the second leg away in Cairo as much as it will be tough, we will have to push to the end”.

 

Marcel Koller – Al Ahly SC Coach

"I am happy for my players. They played according to my plans. It was a very tough game our opponents pushed us but we used the opportunity we got and finished them off. The win away has given us confidence and we hope to maintain the same tempo in the second leg. Determination by the players was key to our positive results and the substitutes we had played a key role maintaining the win that was very important for our ambitions in the competition”.

 

Young Africans 0-0 Mamelodi Sundowns 

Rulani Mokwena – Mamelodi Sundowns Coach

"We lost too many chances and lost second balls. We looked a little better in the second half and I think we played with more intensity going forward. We can play better, we can do better, we can use the ball better, we have to play better in second leg and we have to be tight in the second leg to win the game".

 

Miguel Gamondi – Young African Coach

"A very tough game, I think we can consider it a  tactical battle between two good teams. I am very proud of how the players applied themselves. They tried their best and I think we created clear chances and should have won the game. This game is still open and for sure will go to fight there and try to qualify."

 

Esperance Sportive de Tunis 0-0 Asec Mimosas

Julien Chevalier - Asec Mimosas Coach

“I would like to congratulate my players for their performance. It was an intense and difficult match. I consider a draw  here in Tunis to be heroic against a club like Esperance in such an electric atmosphere. We did not deliberately choose defense, but it was the situation we were in. There is still a second round to play in Abidjan which we must prepare well and approach well”.

 

Miguel Cardoso – Esperance Sportive de Tunis Coach

“Just look at the match statistics and possession to realize our total control over the match. We did everything, tried everything, changed strategy during the match, the only thing missing was goals. The players were not sad after the match, but they had a feeling of frustration because they gave everything, but they were unlucky. I remain positive and optimistic about our chances of making it to the quarter-finals”.

 

TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup

 Future FC 1 – 2 Zamalek SC

Tamer Moustafa – Future FC Coach

“Our performance was not at the desired level. Zamalek’s experience made the difference between us. Also, we were unlucky, especially in the ball that hit the post. A draw would have been satisfying for me, however, all attempts to deny them to score didn’t work and they scored the second goal, which I believe it wasn’t worth a penalty.. Anyway, this is the first-leg and we will meet again soon in the second-leg, where we still have another chance. It’s not over yet.”

 

Jose Gomez – Zamalek SC Coach

“First of all, I must say, in my opinion, know the mistakes we did but we deserved to win this game. Through counter attacks in the second half, we created many chances to score and that is why we deserved the win. I am not happy with the game we played. Thank God that we won the game but it is not easy. I was not happy with the players at half time. The same way I tell them when I am happy, I do the same when I am not happy”.

 

Rivers United FC 1 – 0 USM Alger 

Juan Carlos Garrido Fernandez - USM Alger Coach

“We came here with the intention of getting a win, but the conditions were difficult. Playing at 40 degrees and my players observing Ramadan was a challenge. We tried to hold our ground and I think we came close to getting a draw. We will go back home and prepare hard for the second leg. We are the defending champions and we are determined to retain the trophy.”

 

Stanley Eguma - Rivers United FC Coach 

“We created a lot of chances and I am not happy that we converted only one. Our team had the big opportunity to get a big win in this match. Nevertheless, we will continue to work very hard and focus on the prize. Last year, we lost our first leg 0-2 and despite a good game in the return leg, we were out. Now, we have an advantage, no matter how slim”