The race for spots in the CAF Confederation Cup group stages heats up this weekend with plenty of talking points from the first leg.
Defending champions USM Alger have already secured a group-stage place following the withdrawal of Panthers FC.
Meanwhile, Al Ahly Tripoli and AS Maniema Union have also established commanding first-leg advantages and have one foot in the group stages already.
South African Premiership side Kaizer Chiefs and SportPesa League’s Tusker FC have work to do after suffering 1-0 defeats in their respective first legs.
We have a look at the headline fixtures of the weekend and offer our predicted outcome.
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Kaizer Chiefs vs Red Arrows – Friday, 7PM – FNB Stadium
Chiefs face a major test of their continental ambitions after losing 1–0 away to Zambia’s Red Arrows.
The result gives the Zambian side a valuable advantage, but the tie remains open and Chiefs will have the opportunity to respond in front of their home supporters.
Red Arrows claimed the first-leg victory through Alassane Diarra, who headed home a corner delivered by Ackim Mumba in the 76th minute.
That was the first ever competitive match between the two teams and Chiefs are on the back foot, having gone four games without a win.
They welcome a Red Arrows side who are unbeaten in their last nine matches and have the momentum ahead of the encounter.
Prediction – Kaizer Chiefs to win
Azam vs ZED – Saturday, 4PM – Azam Complex Stadium
There is still all to play for in this match for both teams, after playing out to a 1-1 draw in the first leg last week.
The Egyptians ZED come into the match unbeaten in their last six games, scoring 11 times in the process.
However, they have also been poor defensively, letting in six goals in that run, something they will need to change if they are to progress to the group stages.
Azam have lost just once in their last nine matches and are confident they can grind out a narrow victory here in front of their home crowd.
Both sides have a clean bill of health ahead of kick off and we can expect a hard-fought battle, with both teams tipped to score.
Prediction – Both teams to score
Port Louis vs Durban City – Sunday, 4PM
Durban City have established a two-goal advantage after defeating AS Port Louis 2000 by a 3–1 scoreline.
The South African club have given themselves an excellent opportunity to progress, but the return match in Mauritius still requires a disciplined performance.
Durban City head into the second leg with a useful cushion, while the Mauritian side need to score at least twice to draw level on aggregate.
The defeat was Port Louis’ only loss in their last five games, while Durban snapped a three-game winless run to register the crucial win.
With home advantage, Port Louis are expected to put up a fight here and could narrowly edge a victory on the day – though Durban may still progress.
Prediction – Over 1.5 goals
Al Ahly vs Kitara – Sunday, 7PM – Cairo International Stadium
The Egyptian powerhouse recovered from a goal down to defeat Kitara FC 2–1 in Uganda, putting them in a favorable position ahead of the return leg.
Omar El Saaiy and Zizo scored in the second half to gift all three points to Al Ahly, who followed up that win with a 3-3 draw against Al Qanah in the league.
Kitara, on the other hand, were on a 10-match unbeaten run before losing the first leg and are desperate to bounce back here.
Al Ahly are strong favorites to progress, and their home advantage further boosts their hopes in this encounter.
The Ugandan outfit have scored in all of their last 14 matches in all competitions and this could provide a better market than an outright winner.
Prediction – Both teams to score
Singida Black Stars vs Tusker FC – Sunday, 7PM – Airtel Stadium
The brewers from Kenya were unlucly to lose 1-0 to Singida in the first leg in Nairobi last week but believe they can bounce back here.
Singida have taken a valuable advantage into the return match and will be determined to finish the job in front of their supporters.
The loss snapped a seven-game unbeaten run by Tusker, with head coach Julien Mette insisting that the tie is far from over as they prepare for the second leg.
There has not been a head-to-head match pitting these sides against each other prior to Singida’s 1-0 first leg win.
Tusker have a fully fit squad to choose from with a couple of changes expected as they look to at least level the tie with a goal away from home.
Prediction – Over 1.5 goals
