2022/23 CAF Champions League Semi-Finals : The semi-finals pairings of the 2022/23 CAF Champions League are set after the quarter-finals ties were completed on Saturday.
Mamelodi Sundowns recorded a 6-2 aggregate success over CR Belouizdad of Algeria to advance to the semi-finals.
The South African side defeated the North Africans by 4-1 in the fist leg with goals from Namibia star attraction Peter Shalulile (brace) , Neo Maema and Cassius Mailula on April 22nd.
In the reverse leg on Saturday , Sundowns reigned supreme again with a 2-1 win. Themba Zwane and Thapelo Morena were the scorers for Masandawana as Sofiane Bouchar scored for RC Belouizdad.
Sundowns, winners of the title in 2016, have now set up a mouthwatering semi-final date against defending champions Wydad Athletic Club, who progressed to the last four on Friday evening after edging out Tanzania’s Simba 4-3 on post-match penalties.
Coming into the return fixture, the Algerians were under pressure to win by a margin of more than four goals to progress, while Sundowns only needed to avoid defeat or at worse, lose 2-0.
Belouizdad started well and they broke the deadlock after 24 minutes when Sofiane Bouchar finished from a corner.
The home side however battled and drew level at the stroke of halftime when Themba ‘Mshishi’ Zwane scored with a delightful finish after picking up a pass from Thapelo Morena.
Sundowns turned the tie into their favour four minutes into the second half, Morena turning from provider to scorer, heading home a well taken cross from Khuliso Mudau.
The Algerians tried to bulk up in a fight for the remaining minutes of the game, but Downs did enough to see off the tie.
Elsewhere , Esperance de Tunis claimed a 2-1 aggregate victory over Algeria opposition JS Kabylie. The Tunisia giants won the first leg by 1-0 thanks to Ben Hammouda in the 54th minute in Algiers whilst the reverse fixture ended 1-1 yesterday at the Stade Hammadi Agrebi in Tunis.
Ben Romdhane scored first for the home team in the 49th minute but Redjem equalized for the away side.
Al Ahly drew 0-0 against Raja Casablanca to reach the semi-finals of the Champions League after defeating their Moroccan opponents by 2-0 in the first leg match.
Meanwhile WAC were the first to book their semi-finals ticket last Friday after their penalty shootout victory over Simba of Tanzania.
2022/23 CAF Champions League Semi-Finals :
Esperance de Tunis vs Al Ahly
WAC vs Mamelodi Sundowns
Send us your stories and breaking news to editor@ghanasportsmarket.com
