News.Semis pit Congo DR against North Africa

Once the 2014 CAF Champions League began, 58 clubs embarked using a journey they hoped would take them all the way for the final. Seven-and-a-half months later, just four  teams remain, with TP Mazembe and compatriots Vita Club creating history by giving Congo DR two semi-finalists initially ever.

Their opponents within this weekend's first leg semi-final matches, Algeria's ES Setif and CS Sfaxien of Tunisia respectively, have were continue North Africa's  excellent run inside competition. In all of the but two in the last nine years, clubs from the region have won the Champions League, and those entered 2009 and 2010 when  Mazembe claimed their third and fourth continental titles. The winner latterly October's two-legged final will represent the continent in December's FIFA Club World Cup  in Morocco.

Match of the week
ES Setif–TP Mazembe
Saturday's semi-final clash between ES Setif and former champions TP Mazembe is going to be played nowadays on account of sanctions on the Algerian club. But it's not  only lacking fans from the stadium that could count against the home side, as being the weight of history favours Les Corbeaux, who have three draws and also a win through the four  previous encounters involving the two sides.

Setif coach Kheireddine Madoui is confident his side might make history using a victory but admitted so it could be tough. “It’s a challenging match, and that we’ll need to  try to avoid making mistakes behind against a side with lots of Champions League experience who accurately whatever they’re about.” Mazembe happen to be be prepared for the clash in Ghana, and Tanzanian striker Mbwana Samatta said that they'll arrive in Algeria fully prepared. "Were confident before semi-finals,” he was quoted saying.

Friday, September 19, 2014