CAF Champions League Matchday 4 Continues
In Group A, only one match took place today. Tanzanian league champions Young Africans hosted the strong Congolese side TP Mazembe.
In the 16th minute, Young Africans were awarded a penalty, which was surprisingly taken by goalkeeper Alioune Badara Faty. He successfully converted the penalty, putting his team ahead 1-0.
However, the Tanzanian side equalized in the 33rd minute through a beautiful goal by Clement Mzize. The first half ended in a draw. In the 56th minute, Young Africans’ playmaker Stephane Aziz Ki made it 2-1. Just four minutes later, Clement Mzize struck again, sealing a 3-1 victory for Young Africans.
In Group B, two matches were played. Moroccan side AS FAR hosted Congolese team Maniema Union and secured a 2-0 victory. Khalid Ait Ouarkhane opened the scoring in the 12th minute, and Amine Zoughzouh’s fine strike near the end of the first half sealed the win.
The other Group B match was between Moroccan side Raja CA and South Africa’s Sundowns. The match was highly physical, with plenty of fouls.
Sundowns’ Bathusi Aubass received a red card in the 40th minute for a dangerous tackle. Just before halftime, Raja CA’s defender Benaissa Benamar scored, giving his team a 1-0 lead.
No additional goals were scored, but in the 80th minute, Raja CA’s Marouane Zila was sent off for protesting a foul. Both teams were reduced to 10 men.
Sundowns ended the match with nine players after Khuliso Mudau was shown a red card for a reckless tackle, marking the third dismissal of the game.
In Group C, another South African side, Orlando Pirates, hosted Ivorian team Stade d’Abidjan. The match was dominated by the Pirates.
Relebohile Mokofeng opened the scoring in the 22nd minute. Patrick Maswanganyi doubled the lead in the 50th minute, and Deon Hotto sealed the victory with a well-executed run and goal in the 80th minute.
The 3-0 win allowed Orlando Pirates to overtake their strong rivals, Al Ahly, in points and claim the top spot in Group C.