Since tomorrow’s CAF Champions League final between South African sleeping giants Kaizer Chiefs and Egyptian heavyweights and defending champions Al Ahly at Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca, Morocco (9pm SA time) is the biggest sporting event on the continent this weekend. Sihle Ndebele picks three interesting match-ups that are likely to influence the outcome of this epic clash.
Samir Nurkovic v Ayman Ashraf
With both players blessed with height and physique, the tussle between Nurkovic, 29, and the 30-year-old Ashraf is likely to be a physical affair. Ashraf is a left-footed centre-back who’s admired mostly for his ability to play from the back. Taking into account that whenever Chiefs play high-press Nurkovic is the main instigator, Ashraf may find it hard to initiate attacks as usual. The aerial battle between these two players is also certain to be important for their teams. Nurkovic hasn’t scored a lot this season, but his forte to net crucial goals makes him Amakhosi’s danger man.
Aliou Dieng v Willard Katsande
While Dieng arguably has more attributes of a world-class defensive midfielder than Katsande, the pair have a lot of similarities in their play. One such similarity is boasting a lion’s heart. The one who will win more second balls between the two men in the engine room for their respective teams is likely to outshine the other. The 23-year-old Malian-born Dieng is more of a box-to-box defensive midfielder and he can spray long passes brilliantly. On the other hand, the 35-year-old Katsande excels in breaking down opponents’ attacks, thanks to his tough-tackling ability.
Mohamed Sherif v Eric Mathoho
That Sherif, 25, has scored 20 goals from 39 games across all competitions this season shows he’s Al Ahly’s main source of goals. Mathoho, who usually makes up for his sluggishness by being technically aware, will have to be at his element to contain the in-form Sherif. “Tower”, as the 31-year-old Chiefs defender is affectionately known, gives Amakhosi a lot when they get set-plays, thanks to his height and mettle of scoring using his head.
Key battles that could decide tomorrow's match
Will Mathoho block scoring machine Sherif?
Image: Antonio Muchave
Since tomorrow’s CAF Champions League final between South African sleeping giants Kaizer Chiefs and Egyptian heavyweights and defending champions Al Ahly at Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca, Morocco (9pm SA time) is the biggest sporting event on the continent this weekend. Sihle Ndebele picks three interesting match-ups that are likely to influence the outcome of this epic clash.
Samir Nurkovic v Ayman Ashraf
With both players blessed with height and physique, the tussle between Nurkovic, 29, and the 30-year-old Ashraf is likely to be a physical affair. Ashraf is a left-footed centre-back who’s admired mostly for his ability to play from the back. Taking into account that whenever Chiefs play high-press Nurkovic is the main instigator, Ashraf may find it hard to initiate attacks as usual. The aerial battle between these two players is also certain to be important for their teams. Nurkovic hasn’t scored a lot this season, but his forte to net crucial goals makes him Amakhosi’s danger man.
Aliou Dieng v Willard Katsande
While Dieng arguably has more attributes of a world-class defensive midfielder than Katsande, the pair have a lot of similarities in their play. One such similarity is boasting a lion’s heart. The one who will win more second balls between the two men in the engine room for their respective teams is likely to outshine the other. The 23-year-old Malian-born Dieng is more of a box-to-box defensive midfielder and he can spray long passes brilliantly. On the other hand, the 35-year-old Katsande excels in breaking down opponents’ attacks, thanks to his tough-tackling ability.
Mohamed Sherif v Eric Mathoho
That Sherif, 25, has scored 20 goals from 39 games across all competitions this season shows he’s Al Ahly’s main source of goals. Mathoho, who usually makes up for his sluggishness by being technically aware, will have to be at his element to contain the in-form Sherif. “Tower”, as the 31-year-old Chiefs defender is affectionately known, gives Amakhosi a lot when they get set-plays, thanks to his height and mettle of scoring using his head.
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