With both CAF Champions League Group A and Group B having
already been decided, this weekend's games could be viewed as dead rubbers.
AS Vita, TP Mazembe, CS Sfaxien and Entente Setif are
through to the semi-finals with one match left to play.
However, Zamalek have lodged a complaint with CAF against
DR Congo outfit AS Vita Club over the dual identity of Rwandan striker Taddy
Etekiama that could see them back in the race for a semi-final spot.
If their 1-0 home defeat to AS Vita on match day 5 is
reversed by CAF, the Egyptian giants could qualify for the last four with a
victory when they travel to Sudan to play bottom of the group Al Hilal.
Not only do the Egyptians need CAF to decide in their
favour, other results to go their way and then secure a first away win in the
group stages of the competition, but Zamalek need to do so while the club is in
turmoil following an assassination attempt on chairman Mortada Mansour by the
club's own fans.
The assassination attempt comes as the relationship
between Zamalek management and their hardcore supporters known as "Ultras
White Knights" has been deteriorating for weeks over several issues, including
the recent sacking of former coach Mido.
In early August, the fans also stormed the club’s
headquarters and vandalised the chairman's office, shortly after he had
criticised their attitude in a press conference.
"Ultras White Knights is not a football fan group
but a terrorist organisation," Mansour told the media after the latest
incident.
"They tried to kill me and two people were
injured."
Zamalek board member Ahmed Mortada was also horrified by
the attack and vowed to end the football club's association with the
supporters' group.
"We won't deal with Ultras again. White Knights no
longer have a relationship with Zamalek," Mortada said.
"We will consider only the club's respectable fans.
Any member of the club who will be dealing with the Ultras – his membership
will be deactivated."
The other Group A game this weekend sees a derby between
the two Democratic Republic of Congo highfliers, AS Vita and TP Mazembe, to
determine who will likely top the group.
Their clash takes on even more significance with the
threat of Zamalek's appeal hanging over AS Vita ensuring they will be looking
for three points to make absolutely sure of progression to the semis.
In Group B, there's an all-Tunisian derby on Saturday as
fierce rivals Entente Setif travel to CS Sfaxien with a one-point lead in the
standings to determine who will top the group. Al Ahly Benghazi travel to
Esperance with only pride at stake.
Culled from Soccerway
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