The journey for the biggest prize in continental club football this year has been reduced to four clubs following the completion of the mini-league stage of the Orange CAF Champions League.
Ahead of this weekend’s ultimate, Algeria’s USM Alger and El Merreikh of Sudan had already confirmed their places for the last four from Group B.
They were joined by Group A duo, TP Mazembe of DR Congo and Sudanese giants, El Hilal who sealed their spots on the final day matches on Saturday.
Four time winners Mazembe made light work of Moghreb Tetouan of Morocco with a 5-0 win in Lubumbashi. Tanzania-import Mbwana Samata netted a hat-trick before a goal each from Rainford Kalaba and Roger Assale ensured ‘Les Corbeuax’ top spot in the group.
Hilal, on the otherhand had to sweat to force a 1-1 draw in Alexandria against Egyptian debutants Smouha to make certain their place in the semis. Amr Abousabaa put the host up after 21 minutes before Nasr Ahmed grabbed the vital equalizer on 73 minutes to secure the Omdurman-based club the other Group A slot.
Mazembe finished on 11 points, two more than Hilal with Tetouan and Smouha in that order with eight and five points respectively.
For the semis, Merreikh will be up against Mazembe in an encounter that will pit the trainer of the Sudanese side, Diego Garzitto against a side he guided to continental glory in 2009.
The other semis fixtures will be between Hilal of Sudan and USM Alger.
Semis Fixtures:
– El Merreikh (Sudan) vs TP Mazembe (DR Congo)
El Hilal (Sudan) vs USM Alger (Algeria)
- 1st leg: 25-27 September 2015
- 2nd leg: 2-4 October 2015
Source: CAF
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