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Simba SC players before a past match. PHOTO/Simba
- Simba have already qualified for the quarters545
- Vipers are seeking their first win in the group stages
- This is the final round of matches
East African representatives Simba SC and Vipers SC< both in Group C, will be looking to finish off their Champions League group stage campaign positively in the final round of matches this weekend.
The group is already determined with Raja Club Athletic and Simba qualified. Raja are assured of top spot as they are on 13 points, four ahead of Simba who they face in Casablanca.
Horoya who are third on four points host winless Vipers SC in Conakry looking for a win or a draw to cement their place. Vipers are meanwhile looking to sign out on a high, with a win.
“We know that we are facing a very difficult match away from home. I have watched the first leg which was played in Uganda and I know what we need to do to win. As players and as a team we are determined to bow out in style,” said new Vipers SC coach Alex Isabirye.
Simba play away to Raja
Meanwhile, Simba are also looking to end on a high, on a very difficult hunting ground in Casablanca. They lost 3-0 to Raja in the first leg in Dar es Salaam and they are now up to the herculean task of winning away from home.
“We know it is a tough match because Raja have not lost any match in this year’s competition. But we want to try and compete, we want to try and get ourselves a morale boosting win,” said head coach Roberto Oliveira.
Meanwhile, another East African side, AL Merrikh of Sudan, will also be looking for a positive finish, with their qualification hopes already up in smoke.
Al Merreikh are third in Group D with five points and they will be away to Egypt’s Zamalek who are bottom of the grouo with four points. They will be looking for a draw or a win to finish above the White Knights.
Esperance de Tunis and CR Belouizdad have qualified to the quarter finals, and they will face off in Rades to determine who goes top and who finishes second. Esperance are currently top with 10 points, one ahead of the Algerians.
Group A battle for top spot
Elsewhere, Group A is already decided with JS Kabylie and defending champions Wydad Athletic Club already qualified. Both are on 10 points but the Algerians are on top through a better goal aggregate.
They will face off in Casablanca, in what will definitely be a mouth watering North African derby, with the winner finishing top of the group. A draw will be favourable for Kabylie to finish top.
Third placed Petro de Luanda host DR Congo’s AS Vita Club in another positional battle. Both sides are on four points with Petro having a better goal aggregate.
Group B is where all attention will be drawn as Sudan’s Al Hilal and record champions Al Ahly of Egypt battle for the single qualification slot to join Mamelodi Sundowns in the last eight.
The two sides will clash in Cairo in what is expected to be a blockbuster tie. Hilal had a chance to qualify in the last match day with a last minute penalty against Sundowns, but they had the chance missed and pressure will be on them in a tough Cairo hunting ground.
Hilal who are second on 10 points need just a point against Ahly who are three behind to qualify. Having lost 1-0 in Omdurman, Ahly will be looking to avenge in a big way and earn a slot in the last eight.
Meanwhile, Sundowns who are on 10 points will be at home against winless Cotonsport of Cameroon seeking for victory to finish top of the Group.
Source:Sports Leo