Ethiopian Saints hope to go marching on

Playing this weekendEST vs JSM Bejaïa Entente Setif vs AC Leopards Recreativo de Libolo vs Rangers Saint George vs Zamalek TP Mazembe vs Orlando Pirates Al Ahly vs C.A.B Stade Malien vs Coton Sport Sewe San Pedro vs FUS ADDIS ABABA. Saint George hope to become the first Ethiopian club to reach the CAF Champions League group stage when they host Zamalek of Egypt this weekend in a last-16 return fixture.The Addis Ababa outfit exceeded expectations with a 1-1 draw against the five-time African champions in Cairo two weeks ago, taking the lead through Oumed Oukri before Abdoulaye Cisse snatched a late equaliser.After decades in the football doldrums, Ethiopia are on the rise with a Saint George-dominated national squad reaching the 2013 Cup of Nations after a 31-year absence and topping a World Cup qualifying group that includes South Africa.Having fired eight unanswered goals past Jamhuri of Zanzibar and comfortably disposed of Djoliba of Mali, the Saints find themseleves in unchartered territory with a lucrative mini-league slot tantalisingly close.“It would be amazing to make the group stage,” admits German coach Michael Kruger, who guided Egyptian club Arab Contractors to the 1996 African Cup Winners Cup title.Brazil-born Zamalek coach Jorvan Vieira remains upbeat dspite the first-leg setback in an empty Cairo stadium with supporters barred after ripping seats from fittings during a previous home fixture.“Zamalek are capable of winning in Ethiopia and reaching the group phase. In modern football there are no home and away games – you must play to win all your matches.”Title-holders Al-Ahly of Egypt host CA Bizertin of Tunisia in Cairo and must also play behind closed doors because fans flung firecrackers on the pitch during a last-32 victory over Kenyan visitors Tusker.Esperance, runners-up to Ahly last year after winning the 2011 Champions League, should ensure a Tunisian presence at the pool stage after having the better of a 0-0 draw with JSM Bejaia in Algeria.TP Mazembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo have halved admission prices to ensure a capacity 25 000 crowd in southern city Lubumbashi when they try to overtake a 3-1 deficit against Orlando Pirates of South Africa.Coton Sport of Cameroon, runners-up to Ahly five years ago, have improved dramatically since the competition kicked off in February and a 3-0 lead virtually guarantees overall victory when they face Stade Malien in Mali.

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Ethiopian Saints hope to go marching on