Zimpapers Logo

The five-time African champions’ assistant manager Ismail Youssef has asked his players to forget about the result from the first meeting and concentrate on the game against the Ivorian champions, who are hoping to     overturn the slim deficit to sail through to the next round.
“The coaching staff headed by coach Hassan Shehata have told the lads to focus hard on the second leg, in order to qualify for the last 16,” Youssef said.
“Winning is good, especially given the current circumstances for Egyptian football and the inability of the teams to play friendlies. We obviously want to win and I am confident that the team can do it,” he added.

Following the cancellation of scheduled friendlies by the interior ministry, the White Knights were able to play a secret friendly match against Haras el-Hedoud, defeating them 3-2.
The North Africans humbled the Ivorians 1-0 behind closed doors in a Military Stadium on 25 March, thanks to a goal from Benin striker Razak Omotoyossi.
However, striker Mido, Ahmed Samir and midfielder Mohamed Ibrahim are suffering from injuries and remain doubtful for the Abidjan meeting, but Amr Zaki has been declared fit to play.

Meanwhile, Nigerian challengers Dolphins and Sunshine Stars must fight for survival this weekend when return games are played in the first round of the Caf Champions League.
Dolphin take a precarious 2-1 lead over 2008 runners-up Cotonsport Garoua to Cameroon while Sunshine must overcome a 4-1 first-leg drubbing when they host Recreativo do Libolo from Angola.

While Enyimba are the only Nigerian side to win the elite Caf club competition, it would be humiliating for the African football power if both clubs failed to make the last 16 final qualifying round.
Both Nigerian coaches remain upbeat as they try to undo the damage of two weeks ago when Dolphin missed a penalty and many chances and Sunshine lost concentration in the closing stages to concede three goals.

“My boys may not have achieved the emphatic victory we hoped for, but I still believe in them and I am confident of a good result in the return match,” Dolphin handler Stanley Eguma said.
Sunshine Stars boss Olubenga Ogumbota was emphatic: “My players are capable of overcoming the deficit — uncomfortably large though it is. I do not believe anything is lost.”

It could have been even worse for Port Harcourt-based Dolphin as the winning goal from Ghana-born Owusu Addae came just three minutes from time after Ifeanyi Egwim had given his team an early lead and fluffed a second-half spot kick.
Dolphin came closest to African glory in 2005 when beaten by FAR Rabat of Morocco in the Caf Confederation Cup final while Cotonsport lost 4-2 on aggregate against Al Ahly of Egypt in the Champions League decider four years ago.

Sunshine exceeded expectations to reach the Confederation Cup semi-finals at the first attempt last year and seemed a good bet to reach the group phase of the Champions League at least.

However, two goals within three minutes from Adawa and Dario turned the tide in favour of provincial outfit Recreativo and Cameroon-born Edy struck a potentially crucial fourth in stoppage time.
“We are going to Nigeria with just one thought — victory,” stressed Libolo coach and former national team star Zeca Amaral, whose team stunned former champions

Orlando Pirates of South Africa in a preliminary tie.
Although Al Ahly have been African champions a record six times and held Coffee 0-0 in Ethiopia two weeks ago, the talented but ageing squad of Portuguese coach Manuel Jose will take nothing for granted.
Coffee were also held at home by Ahly in a previous first round clash 14 years ago only to win the tie on away goals and the Cairo Red Devils have been hampered by a lack of match practice.

The arch rivals of Ahly take a 1-0 lead over Africa Sports to Abidjan and will miss injured striker Ahmed ‘Mido’ Hossam in a repeat of the 1986 Caf Champions Cup final won by the Cairo club on penalties.
Title holders Esperance of Tunisia should advance to the final qualifying round without undue difficulty having drawn 1-1 with African debutants Brikama United in Gambia.

Other former champions in action are Vita Club and TP Mazembe from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Etoile Sahel of Tunisia, who all drew away, and Raja Casablanca of Morocco, trounced 5-0 by newcomers Berekum Chelsea in Ghana. —  Sapa-AFP.