The quarter-final lineup for the CAF Champions League has produced several high-profile matchups after the draw conducted Tuesday in Cairo, with former champions and emerging contenders set on a collision course.
South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns will face tournament newcomers Stade Malien, one of the surprise stories of this season’s competition. Holders Pyramids FC were drawn against Moroccan side FAR Rabat in a rematch of last season’s quarter-final encounter.
Another headline fixture pits record 12-time champions Al Ahly against long-time rivals Espérance de Tunis, renewing one of African football’s most storied rivalries. Meanwhile, Moroccan debutants RS Berkane will take on Sudanese heavyweights Al Hilal Omdurman, who are appearing in the competition for a record 39th time.
The quarter-finals are slated for March, followed by the semi-finals in April and the two-legged final in May.
Stade Malien’s progress has been one of the standout narratives of the tournament. After 19 unsuccessful attempts to reach the group phase in previous years, the Malian club not only qualified this season but topped a section many expected Esperance to control.
Sundowns endured an uneven group campaign, going four matches without a win before sealing qualification in the final round. Colombian forward Brayan Leon struck twice in a decisive victory over Algeria’s Mouloudia Alger to secure their passage.
Defending champions Pyramids have been the most consistent side so far, recording eight wins and two draws. Their form has held firm despite a dip in output from Congolese striker Mahmoud Mayele, last season’s top scorer with nine goals, who failed to find the net during the group stage.
Ahly remain unbeaten in the current campaign, aided by the scoring touch of former Aston Villa attacker Mahmoud “Trezeguet” Hassan, who has registered five goals. Esperance, by contrast, reshuffled their technical bench after winning just two of six group matches, dismissing Maher Kanzari and moving to appoint French coach Patrice Beaumelle.
Due to the ongoing civil conflict in Sudan, Hilal are set to stage their home second leg against Berkane in Rwanda. Berkane, three-time Confederation Cup winners, have struggled defensively at Champions League level, conceding 10 goals and losing twice in the group phase — the weakest defensive record among the remaining clubs.
Draw Results
Quarter-finals
Renaissance Berkane vs Al Hilal
Esperance vs Al Ahly
Mamelodi Sundowns vs Stade Malien
FAR Rabat vs Pyramids
First legs: March 13–14
Second legs: March 20–21
Semi-finals
Esperance or Ahly vs Sundowns or Malien
FAR or Pyramids vs Berkane or Hilal
First legs: April 10–11
Second legs: April 17–18
Final
First leg: May 15
Second leg: May 24
