2012 CAF Champions League

Group A:
Esperance | 2 pld | 6 pts
Sunshine Stars | 3 pld | 6 pts
ASO Cheif | 3 pld | 0 pts
Etoile du Sahel | DISQUALIFIED

Group B:
Al Ahly | 4 pld | 10 pts
TP Mazembe | 4 pld | 7 pts
Berekum Chelsea | 4 pld | 5 pts
Zamalek | 4 pld | 0pts

Etoile Sahel of Tunisia have been kicked out of the CAF Champions League for their fans’ violence in a game with compatriots Esperance.

CAF announced the news on Monday, stating that the 2007 champions committed a number of infringements including missile throwing, stones, bottles, firecrackers and pitch invasion.

Hundreds of Etoile fans invaded the pitch after their side conceded the second goal against their league rivals, who were on course to their fourth straight group win.

The decision leaves holders Esperance and Sunshine Stars of Nigeria level on six points, while Algeria’s AS Chlef have zero points and no hopes of qualifying in third place.

Esperance are considered favorites for third title as they face competition from former champions Ahli and Mazembe, who are both on brink of qualifying from Group B.

http://beta.filgoal.com/English/News.aspx?NewsID=93781

Only two groups?

Yeah. There are like 3 or 4 rounds of qualifying before the group stage. No team starts at the group stage, everyone plays the qualifying rounds.

Zamalek drew 1-1 in their match yesterday (the first match with fans in Egypt since the Port Said Tragedy). Ahly lost 2-0 to TP Mazembe today away. Now Mazembe and Ahly have qualified to the semifinals with 1 match left (Mazembe is ahead of Ahly by H2H). In the other group, Esperance and Sunshine Stars have made it to the semifinals.

Second leg of semifinal tonight: Ahly v Sunshine Stars (7:30pm GMT+2). The first leg ended 3-3 in Nigeria. In the other semifinal, Esperance beat TP Mazembe 1-0 on aggregate.

-The first time Ahli went past the Champions League semis was at the expense of Nigerian side Enugu Rangers 30 years ago.

-In 14 previous attempts in all African competitions, Ahli have managed to qualify for the final 12 times.

-Ahli boast an impressive home record against Nigerian teams, having won eight and drew two of their last 10 meetings in Cairo.

-The last Nigerian side to avoid defeat against Ahli in Cairo were Kano Pillars, who shockingly eliminated the Egyptian giants from the Champions League preliminaries following a 2-2 draw (3-3 on aggregate).

-While Ahli only need a clean sheet to go through, the Reds have only kept two in their last eight home games.

-Ahli faced a Nigerian opponent in the semi-finals on three occasions, winning all ties and going on to clinch the title every time (including one Cup Winners Cup).

http://atdhe.so/watch.php?id=456843

GOAL!!!!! Gedo! What an amazing goal.

Ahly are in the CL final. One step closer to beating Chelsea in the Club World Cup.

I was going to change that to "lose to Corinthians in the Club World Cup semis," but then I remembered that I hate Corinthians. I hope you go there and destroy them.

First leg in Alexandria, Egypt is starting now.

Good to finally see fans in an Egyptian stadium (even though it's limited).

Abutreka

Missed such an easy goal.

HT: 0-0

Ahly totally dominating in chances and possession in the first half. Should be ahead by at least a goal. Aboutreka missed a glorious chance that he normally puts away while asleep. And two possible penalty claims for Ahly.

Goal for Esperance from a corner. Our keeper is awful.

GOOOOOOAAAAALLLLLL!!!!!!

Equalizer in the 88th minute!!

Ahly winning 2-0!

FINAL WHISTLE!!!!!

Back your bags, boys. We are going to Japan!

Champions

Probably Ahly's best title. Had their fans murdered and didn't play league football for months.

Congrats.