TP Mazembe – Champions of Africa?

“Today, our morale is on top. I think we are capable of scoring three goals by half time.” – Espérance striker Khaled Ayari.

Positivity. Positivity is always a good thing. In this case however even blind, optimistic, the-world-is-our-oyster-and-nothing-can-possibly-go-wrong Disneyland levels of positivity may not be enough.

Khaled Ayari’s above quote is all well and good, but even if it came to fruition against reigning African champions TP Mazembe in this weekend’s CAF Champions League final second leg, it wouldn’t be enough. Espérance are 5-0 down from the first leg and need a minor miracle if they’re to lift the trophy and prevent TP Mazembe from a second consecutive crown.

Nevertheless if it can happen, in any season on any continent in the world, you sense this could be the one. The 2010 African Champions League has been jam-packed with incident, controversy and scandal this season both on and off the pitch. An extraordinary, unthinkable turnaround for Espérance in Rades, near Tunis, in front of a home crowd, would top it all off.

I’ve written a piece about the incredible twists and turns of this season’s CAF Champions League for FourFourTwo. Have a read. If you think Europe’s Champions League has become tepid and predictable, this may be precisely the tonic you need.

The Hand of God and all-powerful Engelbert – Champions League, Africa-style

African Champions League, African Football, Esperance, TP Mazembe