Champions League: Top African Teams Vie for Semifinal Spot

The quarter-finals of the CAF Champions League 2025/26 are set to begin, featuring four first-leg matches between Africa’s leading club football teams. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) recently announced increased prize money, with the champions receiving $6 million, raising the stakes for the remaining eight contenders.

The competition has reached a crucial knockout phase, demanding precision and focus as these top clubs vie for continental glory.

Pyramids FC vs. AS FAR

Defending champions Pyramids FC of Egypt will travel to Morocco to face AS FAR in the first leg of their quarter-final matchup on Friday, March 13. Pyramids dominated the group stage, earning 16 points from a possible 18 and scoring 14 goals, the most in the competition. This fixture revisits last season’s quarter-final encounter, where Pyramids secured a 4–1 first-leg victory before AS FAR won the second leg 2–0, though it wasn’t enough to overcome the initial deficit.

Mamelodi Sundowns vs. Stade Malien

The 2016 champions, Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa, will host Stade Malien of Mali in Pretoria on Friday, March 13. Sundowns, with extensive experience in continental competition, are aiming to build momentum after finishing as runners-up last season. Stade Malien is experiencing a historic campaign, reaching the knockout rounds of the CAF Champions League for the first time since 1985.

RS Berkane vs. Al-Hilal SC

Moroccan side RS Berkane will host Al-Hilal SC of Sudan in the first leg of their match on Saturday, March 14. RS Berkane, holders of the CAF Confederation Cup, is participating in their debut season in the CAF Champions League. Al-Hilal is in the quarter-finals for the second consecutive year. Their only previous encounter was in the CAF Confederation Cup in 2018, where Berkane won 3-0 on aggregate.

Esperance Sportive de Tunis vs. Al-Ahly

Record twelve-time champions Al-Ahly of Egypt will travel to Tunisia to face Esperance Sportive de Tunis on Sunday, March 15. These two clubs have a history of memorable matches, most recently in the CAF Champions League 2023/24 Final, which Al-Ahly won 1-0 on aggregate.

Quarter-final 1st-leg Fixtures

Friday, March 13
Sundowns vs Stade Malien – Pretoria
AS FAR vs Pyramids FC – Rabat

Saturday, March 14
RS Berkane vs Al-Hilal – Berkane

Sunday, March 15
Esperance vs Al-Ahly – Rades

The second legs of the ties will be played on the weekend of March 21–22.