A second successive CAF Champions League final involving clubs from

Algeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo seems likely with USM Alger

and TP Mazembe favoured to qualify this weekend.

USM triumphed 2-1 away to Al Hilal of Sudan last weekend in the first

leg of their semi-final, leaving the North Africans needing just a draw

at the Stade Omar Hamadi in Algiers on Saturday to progress.

And history suggests an overall Algerian success as no club has

reached the final of the marquee African club football competition after

losing the first leg of a semi-final at home.

Four-time African champions Mazembe are in a less favourable position

than USM having lost 2-1 away to another Sudanese side, Al Merrikh, in

35-degree celsius (95 fahrenheit) heat.

But the Congolese scored five goals in their last CAF home game and

need just one on Sunday to go through on the away goals rule provided

they keep a clean sheet.

Entente Setif of Algeria edged V Club of DR Congo in the 2014 final

on away goals after a 2-2 deadlock in Kinshasa was followed by a 1-1

stalemate in Blida.

USM, whose leading scorer Youssef Belaili has been banned for two

years after failing a group-stage drug test, have a perfect six-victory

CAF home record this year.

The 2003 semi-finalists are also a team packed with potential scorers as 13 have contributed to 24 goals this season.

All are Algerians, except Malagasy Carolus Andriamatsinoro, and the

team who wear a black and red outfit are coached by local Miloud Hamdi.

“My team were superb in the first leg, but we have not qualified

yet,” Hamdi warned. “I must put in place an appropriate strategy because

Hilal play well away.” 

Hilal know the consequences of losing a semi-final at home better

than any other African club, having fallen at the penultimate hurdle in

2009 and 2011 following first-leg defeats in Omdurman.

But Tunisian coach Nabil Al Kouki is putting on a brave face although

his side have won only once on the road in six CAF outings this season.

“We have not lost hope of qualifying for the final,” he insisted.

“Our second-leg mission will be difficult, but not impossible.”

A Hilal attack spearheaded by Mudather ‘Careca’ Eltaib have to score

twice to have any hope and USM have not conceded more than one goal

during any of their six victories.

Angered by the loss in Sudan, France-born Mazembe coach Patrice

Carteron expects a major improvement before a capacity 20,000 crowd at

Stade Mazembe in southern Congolese city Lubumbashi.      

“Our first-leg performance ranks among the low points of this year,” said the former Mali coach.

“I received an unpleasant surprise — we were far too

individualistic,” added the 45-year-old who has described coaching

Mazembe as a “dream job”. 

Tanzanian Mbwana Samatta, Zambian Rainford Kalaba and Ivorian Roger Assale are potential Mazembe match-winners.

Merrikh coach Diego Garzitto remains confident after Bakry ‘Al

Medina’ Babiker snatched a late first-leg winner with his sixth

Champions League goal this season.

“We are going to attack in DR Congo with Babiker just one of many

potential scorers. Our lead is narrow but we have nothing to worry

about,” he said.

Widely travelled Italy-born Garzitto steered Mazembe to the 2009

Champions League title on away goals over Heartland of Nigeria.