Dynamos FC, Cotonsport Reach African Champions League Semi-Finals

Dynamos FC of Zimbabwe and Cotonsport Garoua of Cameroon made it through to the final four of the 2008 African Champions League this weekend, with crucial wins in their respective final group games.

In Harare, Dynamos took on Egyptian giants Zamalek knowing a win would send them through to the semi-finals regardless of results elsewhere. Zamalek for their part had to win and hope that things would go their way in the other Group A game between Al-Ahly and ASEC Mimosas. In a closely fought encounter it was Dynamos who eventually emerged triumphant, courtesy of a late goal from David Shoko.

The Zimbabweans have had an excellent Champions League campaign so far, and after finishing second in the group behind Al-Ahly they will now look to progress to the final of the competition just as they did ten years ago. They play Cotonsport Garoua in the semi-finals. Dynamos´ win rendered the Cairo clash between ASEC Mimosas and Al-Ahly redundant, with the Egyptians already qualified and Mimosas of the Ivory Coast out. The game finished 2-2.

Elsewhere, Cotonsport Garoua emerged as winners of Group B thanks to an emphatic 3-0 win over Nigerian rivals Enyimba. Goals from Ngomna Ahmadou, Kamilou Daouda and Baba Ousmaila fired Cotonsport into the semi-finals, leapfrogging Enyimba into first place in the process. The Nigerians were forced to play with ten men for the majority of the game after keeper Rabiu Saminvu was sent off for a professional foul in the fifteenth minute, and ultimately they could not cope with Cotonsport´s attacking, athletic style of football. Al-Hilal and TP Mazembe´s 2-2 draw did nothing for either side; both are eliminated.

The results mean that Cotonsport qualify for the African Champions League semi-finals for the first time in their history, presenting what pre-tournament would have been considered an unlikely final four matchup between themselves and Dynamos. Few people felt either side would make it this far. In the other semis clash Enyimba, nickamed the People´s Elephant and two-times African Champions League winners, will play Al-Ahly, who themselves have won the competition five times.

Semi-Finals:

African Champions League, Al-Ahly, Al-Hilal, ASEC Mimosas, Cotonsport Garoua, Dynamos FC, Enyimba, TP Mazembe, Zamalek