Ethiopian Premier League defending champion Saint George kicks-off the 2018 African Champions League new season campaign entertaining its counterpart from Sudan Wau Salaam FC for the two leg pre-qualification matches today. Knock out holders Wolayta Dicha faces Zimamoto of Zanzibar in its first ever international game in the club’s history.
Though The Horse Riders have a long history in the Champions League, this is the debut international match. Carlos Manuel Pinto who took over the reign three months back. Pinto appeared to build a ball playing attack minded squad and his stamp was already seen in the team’s local league performance. In the meantime conceding a single defeat in twelve league matches. Six foreign players in the squad including Ugandan international goalie Robert Odungkara and midfielder Prince Severnho of Ivory Coast, here comes the big test for Carlos whose priority is to take the club at least to champions’ league last quarter final stages.
Formed in 1968 the South Sudan league champions that own the Wau stadium with 30,000- capacity, El-Salaam nick named White Doves has little experience at international stages thus Saint George is expected to finish business here in front of the home crowd. All players except striker Salhadin Said will be on the squad therefore club supporters are expecting the best of their team today.
The return leg takes place next Sunday at Hawassa Stadium.