This Weekend Guide could witness some history in the making.
Two teams are dreaming about their first title in South Africa and we also have a sensational first division debutant in Tunisia and a historical continental title in Asia.
(All times are in CET local time)
Amateur (Like this guy)
What? Bidvest Wits – Bloemfontein Celtic (South African Premier Division)
When? Saturday, 19:15
Where? Bidvest Stadium, Johannesburg
Why? These are the early days of the season in South Africa and everything is still extremely tight. Between the 1st and the 6th place, the difference is only 3 points. Among these teams are Bidvest Wits and Bloemfontein Celtic, neither have ever won the domestic title, but now they are both dreaming of doing so.
Key Players: During the last summer break, Bidvest Wits strengthened their squad with Daine Klate, who has previously won 5 consecutive domestic championships. The leader of Bloemfontein Celtic is the captain Bevan Fransman, who had great time abroad while playing in Belgium and Israel.
In the Middle of the Conflict: The Ugandan striker of Bloemfontein Celtic, Geofrey Massa, played for 3 years in one of the most disputed areas in the world. He played for Yenicami Ağdelen, the team from the northern side of the divided city of Nicosia, in the Turkish Cyprus league.
Professional (like this guy)
What? EO Sidi Bouzid – CS Sfaxien (Tunisian Ligue Professionnelle 1)
When? Sunday, 14:30
Where? Stade Sidi Bouzid, Sidi Bouzid
Why? It's matchday 6 in Tunisia and we have a sensational team in the top places. Sidi Bouzid were promoted last season for the first time ever and they are currently in 2nd place after four consecutive wins. Sfaxien are the league leaders and have the best attack in the league.
Key Players: At newly promoted Sidi Bouzid, you can find the experienced
Aymen Ben Amor, who has won 4 Tunisian titles and the CAF Champions League. Also, look out for Ezechiel N'Douassel, the Chadian striker who used to play in Tunisia for Club Africain.
Egyptian Trauma: Sfaxien have lost 5 continental finals, 3 of which were against the same club, Al Ahly from Egypt. The first time was in the 2006 CAF Champions League final, while the next two were in the CAF Super Cup in 2009 and 2014.
World Class (like these guys)
What? Istiklol – Johor Darul Ta'zim (AFC Cup)
When? Saturday, 13:00
Where? Pamir Stadium, Dushnabe
Why? The AFC Cup is a great chance for teams from minor Asian football nations to gain continental experience. Tajiki clubs have won the President’s Cup 4 times already, as Istiklol already won it once, in 2012. Malaysian teams have been playing at the continental levels for more than 50 years, but Johor Darul Ta'zim are the first Malaysian club ever to qualify for an Asian final.
Key Players: Istiklol will base their game around Manuchekhr Dzhalilov, one of the best players in Tajiki football and the domestic league’s top scorer with 18 goals. Johor Darul Ta'zim also has a local star, Mohd Safiq Rahim, who has led his team to two consecutive titles since his arrival.
Thanks to Kuwait: Both teams didn't think they’d qualified , as both were defeated badly in the first leg of the semi-finals. The suspension of Kuwait by FIFA led the AFC to disqualify their representatives, so both Istklol and Darul Ta’zim were given another chance