This weekend marks Matchday 3 of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League, with important games in every group as Al Hilal looks to build on their undefeated start to the group stage.
Teams are battling for their first wins or to solidify their standings.
Below is a thorough explanation of what to anticipate in each group:
GROUP A
Al Hilal Omdurman of Group A is going to Algiers in an attempt to continue their undefeated start in the group stage.
With six points, the Sudanese team will take on the tenacious MC Alger squad, currently in second place with four points.
After defeating Young Africans 2-0 in the previous round, MC Alger is confident that the home fans at the Stade du 5 Juillet will make Al Hilal uncomfortable.
Both teams are eager for a victory when TP Mazembe hosts Young Africans in Lubumbashi.
Yanga, who has no point or objective, and Mazembe, who has one, must ignite their campaigns to remain competitive.
This match could be close and decisive because both teams are having offensive difficulties.
Fixtures:
TP Mazembe vs. Young Africans – 14 Dec, 13:00 GMT
MC Alger vs. Al Hilal Omdurman – 14 Dec, 19:00 GMT
Table Standing
Group B:
FAR Maniema Union, who have two points after two draws, will play Rabat, who leads the group with four points, in Kinshasa.
With Mohamed Hrimat spearheading their assault, the Moroccan team, who have proven resilient throughout the competition, will look to secure a crucial away victory.
Maniema, who has won six straight games in all competitions, will use home crowds and Joseph Bakasu’s ingenuity to put the visitors to the test.
In a game of continental powerhouses, Mamelodi Sundowns takes on Raja Casablanca in Pretoria.
Iqraam Rayners’ excellent home form will hopefully enable Sundowns, who haven’t won in the group, collect three points.
Raja, who is unbeaten away but battling with form, will look on Younes Najjari to spur a comeback.
Fixtures:
Maniema Union vs. FAR Rabat – 14 Dec, 13:00 GMT
Mamelodi Sundowns vs. Raja Casablanca – 15 Dec, 13:00 GMT
Table Standing
Group C:
Later, Al Ahly will face Belouizdad in a pivotal encounter, with the Egyptian giants eyeing top spot in the group. The match will be played next week as Ahly are playing in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup.
Fixtures:
Stade d’Abidjan vs. Orlando Pirates – 14 Dec, 16:00 GMT
Al Ahly vs. Belouizdad – 22 Dec, 16:00 GMT
Table Standing
Group D
Group D features an exciting top-of-the-table clash as ES Tunis hosts Pyramids in Radès. Both teams, level on four points, are unbeaten and boast solid defenses.
Tunis has yet to concede in this year’s competition and will rely on their stellar home form, unbeaten in 21 games. Pyramids, with Ibrahim Adel leading their attack, will look to breach the Tunisian defense.
In Bamako, Djoliba hosts Sagrada Esperança, with both sides seeking their first group stage victory. Djoliba’s defense has been solid, but their attack has struggled, failing to score in the last two games.
Sagrada will need Cachí to step up if they are to take anything away from Mali.
Fixtures:
ES Tunis vs. Pyramids – 14 Dec, 19:00 GMT
Djoliba vs. Sagrada – 15 Dec, 16:00 GMT
Table Standing
Matchday 3 Fixtures (All timings GMT):
14 Dec, 13:00: TP Mazembe vs. Young Africans
14 Dec, 13:00: Maniema Union vs. FAR Rabat
14 Dec, 16:00: Stade d’Abidjan vs. Orlando Pirates
14 Dec, 19:00: MC Alger vs. Al Hilal Omdurman
14 Dec, 19:00: ES Tunis vs. Pyramids
15 Dec, 13:00: Mamelodi Sundowns vs. Raja Casablanca
15 Dec, 16:00: Djoliba vs. Sagrada Esperança
22 Dec, 16:00: Al Ahly vs. Belouizdad
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