Most of the quarterfinal slots had been decided heading into this final matchday. On the day, there were no surprises as everything played out as most had anticipated. Simba qualified, Petro Luanda won group C and TP Mazembe lost away to Sundowns.
Here are the 4 observations we made on the last day of this season’s CAF Champions League Group Stage:
1. Home Form is Everything
We saw seven of the eight hosts teams record home wins – with zero goals conceded.
It hasn’t always looked that way in this season’s CAFCL but in Africa you live and die by your home form. This is especially relevant as we head into the second knockout phase of this competition.
2. Dar es Salaam is a Scary Place
Simba had been talking about revenge against Jwaneng Galaxy before their encounter this weekend. For them to go ahead and beat them for six is pretty ridiculous. Yet this is the kind of stuff that we’re now getting used to when it comes to Simba or Yanga playing at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam. Let’s wait and see who next will be ripped apart at this venue.
3. You Live and Die on the Margin
CR Belouizdad and Wydad Casablanca won their respective last matches of the CAFCL this season and it was painful (for them). They each were one goal away from qualifying to the quarterfinals. Belouizdad just had to lose 3-0 instead of 4-0 to Yanga and Wydad Casablanca should have done better to score at home against Jwaneng Galaxy.
4. Question Marks on Mazembe and Yanga Away Form
I’m happy to see TP Mazembe competitive in the CAF Champions League again and have Yanga carry over their form from the CAFCC last season. It has to be said, though, neither has covered themselves in glory in their travels in the CAFCL this season. This matchday presented a chance for both to showcase something ahead of the quarters but both fell short. Mazembe lost to Sundowns and Yanga lost to Al Ahly. I know these are the pre-tournament favourites that they lost to but they too have title aspirations, no?
CAF Observer 