The race for African club supremacy gained momentum on Tuesday after the CAF Champions League quarter-final and semi-final draw was conducted in Cairo, setting up high-stakes encounters across the continent.
South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns will face Mali’s Stade Malien, while defending champions Pyramids FC are set to meet Morocco’s FAR Rabat in a repeat of last season’s quarter-final clash. Twelve-time African champions Al Ahly will renew their historic rivalry with Tunisian powerhouse Esperance, and Moroccan debutants Renaissance Berkane will challenge Sudanese stalwarts Al Hilal, who are making a record 39th appearance in the competition.
The quarter-final first legs are scheduled for March 13 and 14, with return fixtures on March 20 and 21. Semi-finals will follow with first legs on April 10 and 11, second legs on April 17 and 18, and the final will be contested over two legs on May 15 and 24.
For Stade Malien, this campaign has historic significance. After 19 unsuccessful attempts to reach the group stage, the Bamako-based club not only qualified but topped a section many expected Esperance to dominate. Sundowns, meanwhile, had a difficult path, failing to win in four group matches before Colombian forward Brayan Leon scored twice in a decisive final-round victory over Mouloudia Alger to secure progression.
CAF observers predict fiercely contested ties, with every quarter-finalist aiming for continental glory. The draw not only rekindles historic rivalries but also sets the stage for fresh narratives as Africa’s elite clubs vie for the coveted Champions League crown.
