Al Ahly held as  Wydad Casablanca struggles continue in CAF Champions League

© Al Ahly

FOOTBALL Al Ahly held as Wydad Casablanca struggles continue in CAF Champions League

Festus Chuma 09:30 - 03.12.2023

CAF Champions League group stage match day 2 delivered surprises and intense competition.

The CAF Champions League delivered an electrifying Saturday of football as clubs across Africa continued their quest for glory in the continent's most prestigious club competition.

Match Day 2 of the group stages saw dramatic finishes, unexpected upsets, and standout performances, particularly from giants Al Ahly and Asec Mimosas, who grabbed headlines with their spirited performances.

In a Group D encounter that exemplified the unpredictability and excitement of African club football, record champions Al Ahly were held to a 1-1 draw in Dar es Salaam against Tanzanian champions Young Africans.

The Egyptian behemoths, with 11 titles to their name, faced an uphill battle against a determined Young Africans team seeking redemption after a 3-0 loss to CR Belouizdad.

The match, balanced on a knife-edge, saw late drama with both teams scoring in the final minutes.

Al Ahly's Percy Tau broke the deadlock in the 86th minute, but it was Pacome Zouzoua's last-gasp equalizer that snatched a point for the hosts and injected further intrigue into the group stages.

Meanwhile, in Group B, Ivorian powerhouse Asec Mimosas continued their impressive start to the campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Wydad Athletic Club.

Despite the Moroccans' formidable reputation, Asec Mimosas dominated key moments of the match, with Sankara Karamoko's 72nd-minute goal sealing a crucial win.

This victory, on the heels of their draw against Simba Athletic Club, positions Asec Mimosas favorably in the group, highlighting their credentials as serious contenders for the title.

Elsewhere in the competition, Mamelodi Sundowns, after a resounding victory at home against Nouadhibou, faced a stern test against DR Congo's TP Mazembe in Lubumbashi.

The South African side, however, couldn't replicate their previous form and succumbed to a 1-0 defeat, with Glody Likonza scoring the decisive goal for Mazembe.

This win was a significant boost for TP Mazembe, who are seeking to reassert their dominance in African club football.

In Botswana, Jwaneng Galaxy, buoyed by their victory over Wydad Athletic Club, squared off against East African giants Simba Athletic Club.

In a tightly contested match, both teams had to settle for a 0-0 draw. The result was particularly beneficial for Jwaneng Galaxy, who temporarily topped Group B ahead of Saturday's evening fixtures.

The competition also witnessed a stunning upset as Mauritania's Nouadhibou, making their group stage debut, overcame Egyptian side Pyramids FC with a remarkable 2-0 victory.

Goals from Sidi Amar and substitute Abdalahi Oubeid ensured a historic win for Nouadhibou, leaving all teams in Group A level on points.

In another Group C match, Angola's Petro de Luanda built on their impressive start to the campaign with a 2-0 away victory against ES Sahel in Tunisia.

Alexandre Guedes was the hero, scoring a brace that propelled Petro de Luanda to the top of the group standings with six points, while ES Sahel remained at the bottom without a point.

The weekend's results set the stage for an enthralling Match Day 3, with teams across the continent gearing up for more dramatic encounters.

 Follow the Pulse Sports Kenya WhatsApp Channel for more news.