Former Zamalek star Khalid El Ghandour has mentioned the only African football club he thinks is at the level of Mamelodi Sundowns.Retired soccer player tells Egyptian broadcaster his thoughtsTeN TVwhile analyzing the CAF Champions League.
Why former Zamalek star rates Mamelodi Sundowns so highly
El Ghandour's comments came days after Mamelodi Sundowns qualified for the CAF Champions League quarter-finals. The reigning DStv Premiership champions had a simple task against Mauritanian club Nouadhibou. Goals from Themba Zwane and Grant Kekana helped the Pretoria-based team win 2-0 and secure a place in the finals. This will be the sixth consecutive time that the 2016 champions have advanced to the Continental League's last eight stage.
Zamalek legend's opinion on Mamelodi Sundowns
No wonder Mamelodi Sundowns' near-perfect performance failed to escape the attention of Egyptian football pundits. He explained why the DStv Premiership team is one of his favorites to win the CAF Champions League.according to KingFut.comCoach El Ghandour justified his analysis by saying, “Al Ahly and Sundowns are the two strongest teams on the African continent.''
What does the Egyptian star think about other clubs in Africa?
The former Zamalek midfielder pointed out that most teams on the continent are weakening. “I think the CAF Champions League has become a weak tournament. Wydad are trying to improve, but Esperance's level has declined,” he said.
El Ghandour added that it was embarrassing that Al Ahly were celebrating reaching the finals despite being rated on par with Mamelodi Sundowns. Club of the Century defeated Ghana's Medeama 1-0 last week to book a place in the quarter-finals. He said: “It is a shame that Al Ahly beat Medeama and consider this an achievement. We are talking about the players of the Egyptian national team. You have all the elements and abilities to be the best team. . Winning any match is a normal thing, not an achievement.”
Who else is in the CAF Champions League quarterfinals?
Meanwhile, Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly are in the CAF Champions League quarter-finals along with other big-name teams. The other members are Asek Mimosa from Ivory Coast, Petro de Luanda from Angola, TP Mazembe from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Young Africans from Tanzania. The two teams that will advance to the last eight stage will be selected from among teams such as Tanzania's Simba SC. The others include Wydad AC (Morocco), Jwanen Galaxy (Botswana), Asek Mimosa (Ivory Coast), Al Hilal (Sudan) and Esperance (Tunisia).
So far, the dates for the quarter-final stage have been decided. Al Ahly will face Young Africans on March 1, 2024. The stage is set for Mamelodi Sundowns to take on TP Mazembe the following day.
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