All eyes of football fans across the African continent are on the African football stadiums, eagerly awaiting the thrilling final round of the CAF Champions League . This round is particularly crucial for five Arab clubs, whose ambitions range from securing top spot to fiercely battling for a place in the quarterfinals, in a competition that once again underscores the dominance of North African clubs on the continental football scene.

The context of the competition and the importance of the decisive round

This edition of the tournament holds immense strategic importance, not only for its technical and historical value, but also because it serves as the main gateway to winning the most prestigious continental title. With three teams already qualified – Pyramids FC of Egypt (the defending champions and Group A leaders), Al Ahly of Egypt (record holders with 12 titles), and Stade Malien (the tournament's surprise package) – the battle for the remaining spots is fierce. This round will be a true test of the mental and technical abilities of both players and coaches, as there is no room for error.

Group Three: A Clash of Titans and Complex Calculations

Group C is the most exciting and competitive, with all four teams still mathematically in contention for qualification. Al-Hilal of Sudan leads the group with 8 points, followed by MC Alger with 7, and Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa with 6. All eyes will be on Pretoria, where MC Alger will face a tough away match against Sundowns at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.

The match carries a special emotional and tactical significance for Mouloudia's coach, Rulani Mokwena, who faces his former team with whom he achieved domestic and continental glory. Despite the warm feelings expressed by the Sundowns players towards their former coach, the outcome will be decided on the pitch. The Algerian team only needs a draw to secure qualification, while Sundowns has no option but to win, especially given the internal crisis the team is experiencing following the suspension of performance analyst Mario Macha.

Esperance of Tunisia: A Journey of Self-Discovery

In Group D, Tunisian side Espérance de Tunis faces a must-win or draw when they host Angolan club Atlético de Luanda at the Hammadi Agrebi Stadium in Radès. The Tunisian giants enter the match under exceptional circumstances following the dismissal of coach Maher Kanzari and the temporary appointment of Frenchman Christian Braconi. Espérance hopes to capitalize on home advantage to break the tie with their visitors (both teams currently have 6 points) and join group leaders Stade Malien in the quarterfinals, in a match that represents a lifeline for the team's continental campaign.

Cairo summit: The battle for the top spot between Al-Ahly and the Royal Army

Cairo International Stadium will host an all-Arab clash in Group B, pitting Egypt's Al Ahly against Morocco's FAR Rabat. While both teams are virtually guaranteed qualification, the battle for the top spot in the group will be fierce. Al Ahly enters the match leading with 9 points, followed closely by FAR Rabat with 8. Al Ahly's Danish coach, Jesse Thorup, is expected to continue his rotation policy, giving opportunities to players like Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane and Youssef Belamri. Meanwhile, FAR Rabat's Portuguese coach, Alexandre Santos, understands that a positive result would bolster his team's stability and reaffirm the strength of the Moroccan side.

Renaissance Berkane... the last chance

In Group A, Morocco's RS Berkane will be aiming for nothing less than a win when they host Nigeria's Rivers United. After stumbling in their last two matches, the Moroccan side desperately needs a victory to break their tie with Zambia's Power Dynamos (both on 7 points) and secure the second qualifying spot behind group leaders Pyramids FC. Despite the absence of some key players, coach Moine Chaabani is counting on the return of Yassine Labhiri and Tayeb Boukhriss to salvage the situation in the team's debut Champions League campaign.

Brazilian Fabio Carille, the new head coach of Damac FC, made an important tactical decision regarding the team's preparation program following their valuable victory in the last round. Carille decided to give the players two days off from group training to allow them to rest and recover physically before beginning the rigorous preparations for their upcoming match against Al-Shabab.

This decision comes at a very sensitive time, as the veteran Brazilian coach seeks to maintain the players' high morale following their thrilling 2-1 victory over Al-Taawoun on Thursday evening in the 22nd round of the Saudi Professional League. This match was Carille's first in charge of Damac, making the win a significant boost for the team's performance in the remaining rounds of the competition.

Damac players are scheduled to return to training after their break to begin technical and tactical preparations for hosting the formidable Al-Shabab team in their match next Friday evening, part of the 23rd round of the league. The coaching staff is aware of the difficulty of the task against Al-Shabab, requiring special mental and physical preparation to ensure a positive result that will boost the team's chances of avoiding relegation.

The upcoming matches are of paramount importance to Damac, given their precarious position in the league standings. The team currently sits in 15th place with only 15 points, a position that places them in the immediate danger zone and on the brink of relegation. Therefore, every point earned under the leadership of Carille will be crucial in their fight to remain among the elite.

Damac fans are placing great faith in Carille's extensive experience in Saudi football, having previously coached major clubs like Al-Ittihad and Al-Wehda, achieving notable successes. This makes him the ideal choice to lift the team out of its current slump. The upcoming match against Al-Shabab will be a true test of the coach's ability to utilize the players' potential and rectify the team's defensive and offensive shortcomings in record time, especially as the league enters its crucial, decisive stages.

Alvaro Arbeloa, the coach of Real Madrid, has put an end to the anxiety that has prevailed among the club's fans over the past two days, confirming definitively that French star Kylian Mbappe is ready to play in the anticipated match on Saturday against Real Sociedad, as part of the Spanish Football League competition.

Return after a worrying absence

Arbeloa's comments came during a press conference held on Friday, where he explained that the French striker had overcome the pain he had recently experienced. The coach said, "Kylian is doing well. He trained with the group and will be available to play tomorrow." These assurances come after the French captain missed two days of team training, raising serious doubts about his availability for the weekend's match. He only completed individual training sessions in the gym on Wednesday and Thursday.

Injury concerns and the challenge of the left knee

Mbappé's return is particularly significant given his recent medical history, with Spanish media reports indicating he suffered from pain in his left knee. The French star had previously rushed his return to the pitch to help his team after spraining the same knee in late 2015. This determination to play reflects his leadership qualities, but it also puts the medical and coaching staff under pressure to balance the need for his services with the necessity of preserving his long-term physical condition.

Terrifying figures and a decisive impact

The importance of Mbappé's presence in Real Madrid's starting lineup cannot be underestimated. The numbers speak for themselves regarding the exceptional season the "French Gazelle" is having. Mbappé tops the scoring charts in both La Liga and the Champions League, having netted an astonishing 38 goals in 31 appearances across all competitions this season. This impressive scoring rate makes him the most potent weapon in Real Madrid's attacking arsenal, and the player the fans rely on to unlock opposing defenses, especially against a well-organized team like Real Sociedad.

A fierce battle for the top spot in La Liga

This match comes at a crucial juncture in the La Liga title race. Real Madrid currently sits in second place with 57 points, just one point behind league leaders Barcelona, ​​who have 58. A victory on Saturday against eighth-placed Real Sociedad would not only secure three points but also offer Real Madrid a golden opportunity to temporarily claim the top spot, placing immense psychological pressure on Barcelona before their match in the same round. Therefore, Mbappé's availability is not merely a passing sports headline; it is a pivotal factor that could tip the scales in Real Madrid's favor at this decisive stage of the season.