By Jacob AJOM
The CAF Champions League resumes this weekend with the round of 32, first leg fixtures that will see the entrance of some of the continent’s biggest clubs jostle for vital wins. Nigerian representatives, two-time champions, Enyimba and Kano Pillars have challenging ties against US Bitam of Gabon and Wydad of Morocco respectively.

Enyimba players during a match against a north African opposition

Enyimba’s opponents, US Bitam are currently second in the Gabonese championat with 54 points and a massive 45 goals from 24 games. They have only conceded 20. Their home record in the Gabonese league is near invincible as they have lost just once. Last weekend they drew 1-1 away to Sogea FC.

This frightening record may not have any bearing on the continent as Enyimba whose form in the NPL this term has not been encouraging have a lot of experience to go with. In the opening round the Peoples Elephant beat Congolese side, Saint Michel de Ouenzé home and away to qualify via 3-0 aggregate.

It is expected that the Coach Okey Emordi tutored side would put behind them their poor form in the NPL and silence the Gabonese side in their own backyard. The Nigerian team’s reputation on the continent is what they will bank on when they clash with their hosts.

Kano Pillars who are placed 11th, one place behind Enyimba in the Nigeria Premier League log are already in Morroco to face Wydad Rabat. The Moroccan side is currently placed 6th in that country’s 16-team top flight league which has produced some of Africa’s deadliest teams like Raja Casablanca, FAR Rabat among others. In 21 matches played so far, Wydad have scored 16 goals and conceded 11, which shows they are not as deadly as one would expect of a team with a dreaded reputation.

Pillars who were the 2009 CAF Champions League semi finalists were in high spirit when they departed for the North African country during the week.

Coach, Ladan Bosso has been talking tough. The former Flying Eagles coach said Wydad have no hiding place. Said he, “North Africans play a peculiar style, we know how to handle them and we are determined not to disappoint the fans and our sponsors.”

The chairman of the Kano outfit, Babangida Tukur said the players were in top form and highly motivated. “We have done everything to motivate them. We will not disappoint,” Babangida who accompanied the team to Morocco said.

Defending champions TP Mazembe of DR Congo have what most would regard as a straightforward tie against Simba SC, who hail from Dar es Salaam in Tanzania.

Simba coach Patrick Phiri believes his side is capable of providing the DR Congo giants with a stern challenge. “For Simba it is a very big challenge, but it is also an opportunity for the team to get to the highest stage,” Phiri said

Other interesting fixtures include Club Africain versus Zamalek, with the clash given extra spice due to the recent political upheavals in Tunisia and Egypt.

Ivorian giants ASEC face Zimbabwe’s Motor Action; and last year’s Champions League runners-up, Esperance, begin their campaign against ASPAC of Benin.