Kenyan trio brace for quarter final action in CAF CL and CC

Harambee Stars trio of Joash Onyango, Brian Mandela and Sven Yidah will all have a chance of playing in the quarter final stage of the 2023 continental competitions when their sides take part in their respective first leg matches this weekend.

While Joash and Mandela, who ply their trade for Simba SC (Tanzania) and Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa) respectively, will feature in the CAF Champions League, Yidah will be hoping to feature in the CAF Confederation Cup with his Marumo Gallants side (South Africa).

Simba vs Wydad AC - Saturday 4PM EAT

Joash Onyango’s Simba will be facing a herculean task when they welcome reigning champions Wydad AC in a Saturday afternoon fixture that is set to bring Dar es Salaam to a complete standstill.

While Simba will be depending on the atmosphere to get a favourable result ahead of the return tie, the visiting Wydad will be banking on their experience to get the second leg advantage.

"We must make use of the 12th man who are our fans. Simba SC is well prepared to face Wydad in the quarter final first leg," head coach Roberto Oliviera rallied his Wekundu wa Msimbazi side.

"We respect Simba SC, but we are here to try and get a win so that we qualify for the next stage," Wydad’s Carlos Carrido said.

CR Belouizdad vs Mamelodi Sundowns - 10PM EAT

Later that evening, South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns, who have raised their hands as one of the competition favourites face Algeria’s CR Belouizdad who are aiming to advance beyond the quarter-final stage for this first time.

In a corresponding tie, competition record holders, Al Ahly welcome Raja CA who are yearning for a CAF Champions League gold medal, having last won it in 1999.

The action will however get underway early Saturday mornind as four-time champions, ES Tunis of Tunisia make their way to Algeria to face JS Kabylie, who are working towards a third Champions League medal, having won it in 1981 and 1990.

Sunday will be a feast of four CAF Confederation Cup fixtures with reigning Nigerian Premier League champions, Rivers United kicking off their first ever CAF Confederation Cup quarter-final fixture against Tanzanian champions, Young Africans SC in the afternoon.

Egyptian side, Pyramids FC then welcome Marumo Gallants in a north-versus-south tie in the evening, while Tunisia’s US Monastir, who celebrate a 100-year milestone face Ivorian side, ASEC Mimosas who are working towards reclaiming their position in African club football.

The quarter-finals round up with a marquee north African tie when Algeria’s USMA takes on AS FAR of Morocco who are gunning for their second CAF Confederation Cup title, having won it in 2005 and finished second the following season.

CAF Champions League

Saturday Fixtures

Kabylie vs Esperance Tunis - 0000EAT

Simba vs Wydad - 1600EAT

Al Ahly vs Raja Casablanca - 2200EAT

CR Belouizdad vs Mamelodi Sundowns - 2200 EAT

CAF Confederation Cup

Sunday Fixtures

Rivers United vs Young Africans - 1600EAT

Monastir vs ASEC Mimosas - 1900EAT

Pyramids vs Marumo Gallants - 1900EAT

USM Alger vs FAR Rabat - 2200EAT