African Confederation Cup race goes to wire
Saturday, 19 September 2009
JOHANNESBURG, Sept 18 (AFP): The race for African Confederation Cup semi-finals places goes to the wire this weekend with seven of the eight clubs still in contention.
Entente Setif of Algeria host ENPPI of Egypt and Santos of Angola entertain Vita Club of the Democratic Republic of Congo in Group A with leaders Setif and second-placed Vita favoured to retain those positions.
Group B pacesetters Stade Malien of Mali have home advantage over Bayelsa United of Nigeria as do already-eliminated Harras al-Hodoud of Egypt against second-placed Primeiro Agosto of Angola.
It would be a shock if Setif failed to take maximum points off ENPPI given that they boast a 100 percent home record in Africa this year and defeated the Egyptian petroleum company club 4-3 in Cairo.
An Algerian triumph could also suit a Vita team coached by young Irishman Chris O'Loughlin as Santos would have to win by five goals to advance on head-to-head records.
Santos have managed just two goals in two previous pool home games so it is asking a lot of a side that stunned Egyptian giants Al-Ahly in the final qualifying round to crush the Congolese.
As Angolan coach Mario Calado seeks inspiration for his pre-match team talk, he will surely take his players back to May 31 in Luanda and the return match against six-time African champions Ahly.
Entente Setif of Algeria host ENPPI of Egypt and Santos of Angola entertain Vita Club of the Democratic Republic of Congo in Group A with leaders Setif and second-placed Vita favoured to retain those positions.
Group B pacesetters Stade Malien of Mali have home advantage over Bayelsa United of Nigeria as do already-eliminated Harras al-Hodoud of Egypt against second-placed Primeiro Agosto of Angola.
It would be a shock if Setif failed to take maximum points off ENPPI given that they boast a 100 percent home record in Africa this year and defeated the Egyptian petroleum company club 4-3 in Cairo.
An Algerian triumph could also suit a Vita team coached by young Irishman Chris O'Loughlin as Santos would have to win by five goals to advance on head-to-head records.
Santos have managed just two goals in two previous pool home games so it is asking a lot of a side that stunned Egyptian giants Al-Ahly in the final qualifying round to crush the Congolese.
As Angolan coach Mario Calado seeks inspiration for his pre-match team talk, he will surely take his players back to May 31 in Luanda and the return match against six-time African champions Ahly.