Caf Champions League: Ranking All Eight Quarter-Finalists

 

Ed Dove ranks each of the teams still standing in Africa’s premier club competition

#8 CR Belouizdad

Advanced from Group B alongside Mamelodi Sundowns, ousting Tout Puissant Mazembe and Al Hilal in the process.

They took four points from the Congolese giants—two late strikes in Algiers making for one of the shocks of the group stage—and those performances will give them confidence they can stage an upset in the quarters.

However, they were torn apart at home by Sundowns—conceding five—and will be wary of similar humiliations in the next round.

#7 MC Alger

The murkiness of their qualification at the expensive of Zamalek—following a low-intensity 1-1 draw at Esperance—ought not take away from MC Alger’s overall group-stage campaign.

Defeat at home by the Egyptian giants was the only real blip, and they demonstrated character aplenty to hold Zamalek away and Esperance at home.

Nimble Algeria international Abdenour Belkheir will be the man to finish off the moves, but don’t expect too much drama from Mouloudia.

#6 Kaizer Chiefs

Chiefs can still salvage a troubled season by reaching the final four of the Caf Champions League, although they’d likely be outsiders whichever of the group winners they face.

They progressed due to a 2-2 draw with Horoya earlier this month, with Khama Billiat the star performer as Gavin Hunt’s side progressed.

There’s no doubt they still have quality, but their recent form is not good—they’ve won just one of their last six in all competitions—and the squad is in desperate need of some reinforcements.

#5 Simba

Perhaps the weakest of the group winners, but be under no illusion, Simba are a club on the rise and cannot be underestimated.

They will fear no one in the quarter-finals, and will count on their experience and growth in the Caf Champions League in recent seasons as they look to break fresh ground in the competition.

Their performances in the group stage—particularly topping their pool ahead of Al-Ahly—will give them quiet confidence that they could go the distance.

#4 Mamelodi Sundowns

Despite recently being defeated by Kaizer Chiefs, Sundowns are the stronger of South Africa’s two representatives in the competition, and after winning their group, should be set for an ‘easier’ quarter-final tie.

It’s imperative, however, that the Brazilians rediscover their mojo ahead of their two-legged quarter-final.

They’ve taken just two points from the last available nine, and have netted just once in their last three PSL fixtures, but away victories at TP Mazembe and CR Belouizdad during the group stage was evidence of what they can do on the road.

1. #3 Esperance

   Advancing as Group D winners, Esperance progressed while Zamalek were eliminated—earning a measure of revenge for their quarter-final elimination at the hands of the White Knight last time around.

   It wasn’t a flawless group campaign, but in the likes of Hamdou Elhouni, Raouf Benguit and Taha Yassine Khenissi, they boast some of Africa’s most talented players.

   Young midfielder Mohamed Ben Romdhane could be the breakout star of the knockout stages.

    

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   #2 Al-Ahly

   Ok, so Ahly’s group-stage campaign wasn’t stellar, but how many times have they started the competition slowly only to star in the knockout stages?!

   Don’t forget, they finished second in their group last year, only to eventually clinch the title after dispatching rivals SC Zamalek in the final, and expect something similar this time around.

   In Pitso Mosimane, they also have a coach who knows how to get the job done in the Champions League, and a talented, experienced squad can be a match for anyone.

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   #1 Wydad Casablanca

   Defeated only away in Johannesburg during the group stage, Wydad’s campaign so far has served a reminder as to why they ought to once again be considered among the favourites for the title.

   Walid El Kaarti, Simon Msuva and Mohamed Ounajem give the Morocco giants the kind of firepower to dispatch anyone, while they conceded just once during the group stage—the best defensive record of any side.

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