As TotalEnergies CAF Champions League, CAF Confederation Cup hot up

The TotalEnergies CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup officially entered the exciting knockout stages of the Quarter-Finals this past weekend.

All eight clubs in the two competitions acted in the highly contested first-leg duels.

These are reactions from the coaches post the first leg results:

TotalEnergies CAF Champions League

Simba AC 0 – 1 Al Ahly SC

Abdelhak Benchikha – Simba SC Coach 

“I want to apologize to Simba fans for the loss to Al Ahly. They got only one chance and used it, yet we had several chances but never utilized them appropriately. At this level of football, you must use your chances against a big club like Al Ahly or else you suffer the consequences, which are usually bitter. We have not given up. We want to use the second leg away in Cairo as much as possible, as it will be tough; we will have to push to the end”.

Marcel Koller – Al Ahly SC Coach

“I am happy for my players. They played according to my plans. It was an adamant game. Our opponents pushed us, but we used the opportunity and finished them. The win away has given us confidence, and we hope to maintain the same tempo in the second leg. The players’ determination was key to our positive results, and the substitutes we had played a key role in maintaining the win that was very important for our ambitions in the competition”.

Young Africans 0-0 Mamelodi Sundowns 

Rulani Mokwena – Mamelodi Sundowns Coach

“We lost too many chances and second balls. We looked a little better in the second half, and I think we played with more intensity going forward. We can play better, we can do better, we can use the ball better. We have to play better in the second leg and be tight in the second leg to win the game”.

Miguel Gamondi – Young African Coach

“This was an adamant game, and we can consider it a tactical battle between two good teams. I am very proud of how the players applied themselves. They tried their best, and I think we created clear chances that we should have won the game. This game is still open, and I will definitely go to fight there and try to qualify.”

Esperance Sportive de Tunis 0-0 Asec Mimosas

Julien Chevalier – Asec Mimosas Coach

“I would like to congratulate my players for their performance. It was an intense and difficult match. I consider a draw here in Tunis heroic against a club like Esperance in such an electric atmosphere. We did not deliberately choose defense, but it was our situation. There is still a second round in Abidjan, which we must prepare and approach well”.

Miguel Cardoso – Esperance Sportive de Tunis Coach

“Just look at the match statistics and possession to realize our total control over the match. We did everything, tried everything, and changed strategy during the match. The only thing missing was goals. The players were not sad after the match, but they felt frustrated because they gave everything, but they were unlucky. I remain optimistic about our chances of making it to the quarter-finals”.

TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup

 Future FC 1 – 2 Zamalek SC

Tamer Moustafa – Future FC Coach

“Our performance was not at the desired level. Zamalek’s experience made the difference between us. Also, we were unlucky, especially with the ball that hit the post. A draw would have been satisfying for me. However, all attempts to deny them from scoring didn’t work, and they scored the second goal, which I believe wasn’t worth a penalty. Anyway, this is the first leg, and we will meet again soon in the second leg, where we still have another chance. It’s not over yet.”

Jose Gomez – Zamalek SC Coach

“First of all, I must say, in my opinion, we know our mistakes, but we deserved to win this game. We created many chances to score through counterattacks in the second half, which is why we deserved the win. I am not happy with the game we played. Thank God that we won the game, but it was not easy. I was not happy with the players at half-time. The same way I tell them when I am happy, I do the same when I am not happy”.

Rivers United FC 1 – 0 USM Alger 

Juan Carlos Garrido Fernandez – USM Alger Coach

“We came here to win, but the conditions were difficult. Playing at 40 degrees and my players observing Ramadan was a challenge. We tried to hold our ground, and I think we came close to getting a draw. We will go back home and prepare hard for the second leg. We are the defending champions and determined to retain the trophy.”

Stanley Eguma – Rivers United FC Coach 

“We created many chances, and I am not happy we converted only one. Our team had a big opportunity to win in this match. Nevertheless, we will continue working hard and focusing on the prize. Last year, we lost our first leg 0-2, and despite a good game in the return leg, we were out. Now, we have an advantage, no matter how slim.”