The field of teams that will compete in the Caf Champions League group stages for the 2018/19 season is complete following Sunday’s play offs.
Tanzania’s Simba is the only East African side in the lucrative stage after winning 3-1 against Zambia’s Nkana FC at National stadium, Dar es Salaam to advance 4-3 on aggregate.
Walter Bwalya put the visitors in the lead to silence the capacity crowd but Jonas Mkude and Meddie Kagere scored to ensure the first half ended with the Msimbazi in the lead.
With two minutes to the final whistle, Zambian Clautus Chama ended any hopes for a penalty shootout with a spectacular goal to send the crowd into frenzy and send the Tanzanian side into the last 16.
Ugandan international Emmanuel Okwi was part of the Simba team that started on the day.
Who has more teams?
South Africa, Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt and DR Congo have the most two teams in the group stages with two each.
Usual suspects Mamelodi Sundowns are joined by Micho’s Orlando Pirates from South Africa, record winners Al Ahly and Ismaily represent Egypt, Club Africain and champions Esperance complete the Tunisia duo while TP Mazembe and AS Vita are the two DR Congo sides.
Despite missing the top guns in the competition, Algeria also got two sides in the group stages; JS Saoura and Vipers SC conquerors Constantine.
Debutants
FC Platinum of Zimbabwe and Algeria’s Constantine are into the stage for the first time ever.
Returning Giants
Former African giants Asec Mimosas return to the competition as well as Nigeria Lobi Stars who won 2-0 against Kenya’s Gor Mahia to advance on away goals rule.
Horoya back
Guinea’s surprise package from last season AC Horoya is back in style after trouncing Libya’s Al Nasr.
The side had lost 3-0 away in the first leg but won the reverse fixture 6-2 to advance 6-5 on aggregate scoring the 6th in the 90th minute that gave them a ticket to the group stages.
Nations Represented
Only eleven nations are represented in the group stages in this season’s campaign.
These are Nigeria, South Africa, Guinea, Tanzania, Egypt, Algeria, DR Congo, Zimbabwe, Ivory Coast, Morocco and Tunisia.
The Teams into the Group Stages
Lobi Stars (Nigeria)
Mamelodi Sundowns (RSA)
Orlando Pirates (RSA)
CS Constantine (Algeria)
Saoura (Algeria)
TP Mazembe (DR Congo)
AS Vita (DR Congo)
Platinum (Zimbabwe)
Ismaily (Egypt)
Al Ahly (Egypt)
Esperance (Tunisia)
Club Africain (Tunisia)
Simba (Tanzania)
Wydad Casablanca (Morocco)
Horoya (Guinea)
Asec Mimosas (Ivory Coast)