CAIRO — The race for the 2025/26 CAF Champions League semi-finals reaches its decisive phase, as four quarter-final second legs will decide the continent’s final four.
After an enthralling first round of ties, all eight sides remain firmly in contention.
Record champions Al-Ahly hosts Tunisia’s Esperance Sportive de Tunis at Cairo International Stadium on Saturday at 9:00pm Cairo Local Time, with the visitors holding a narrow 1-0 first-leg advantage from Rades. However, Al-Ahly’s formidable home pedigree in continental competition keeps the tie finely balanced.
This meeting between two North African heavyweights promises another high-intensity chapter in a storied rivalry, with a semi-final berth on the line.
Elsewhere, reigning champions Pyramids FC return to Cairo’s 30 June Stadium on Saturday at 6:00pm Cairo Local Time after earning a valuable 1-1 draw away to AS FAR in Rabat.
The Egyptian side will aim to capitalise on home advantage, while their Moroccan opponents remain well poised and confident of turning the tie in their favour, cafonline.com reported.
Although South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns hold a commanding advantage after their dominant 3-0 victory over Stade Malien in Pretoria.
The South African champions will travel to Mali looking to protect their three-goal cushion as they aim to secure a third successive semi-final appearance.
Despite the deficit, Stade Malien will rely on home support as they attempt a significant comeback to keep their continental ambitions alive.
In another clash, Sudan’s Al-Hilal Omdurman face Morocco’s RS Berkane after the first leg ended in a 1-1 draw.
With little separating the two sides, the second-leg promises a tightly fought battle as both teams seek to advance.
The first-leg matches highlighted the competitiveness and quality of this season’s knockout phase, with clubs from across the continent still dreaming of continental glory.
The winners of the quarter-final ties will progress to the semi-finals scheduled for April, where the stakes will be raised further in the pursuit of the prestigious CAF Champions League trophy.
With one tie favouring Sundowns and the other three finely balanced, the stage is set for a dramatic conclusion to the quarter-final round.
Quarter-final 2nd-leg fixtures (All times in Cairo Local Time)
Saturday, March 21
6:00 – Pyramids FC (Egypt) vs AS FAR (Morocco)
9:00 – Al-Ahly (Egypt) vs Esperance Sportive de Tunis (Tunisia)
Sunday, March 22
6:00 – Al-Hilal Omdurman (Sudan) vs RS Berkane (Morocco)
6:00 – Stade Malien (Mali) vs Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
