Cautious start to CAF Champions League Quarter-Finals

The race towards the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League is on as Quarter-Final action kicked off to a cautious start over the weekend.

Defending champions, Al Ahly of Egypt showed their strength away from home soil when facing a determined Tanzanians Simba AC at the Benjamin Mkwapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Friday.

Despite being cornered in their own half for most of the game, the defending champions managed a crucial 1-0 win over the Tanzanians thanks to an early Ahmed Koka goal.

The same venue hosted former champions and reigning African Football League kings Mamelodi Sundowns the following day, as they were welcomed by last season’s TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup finalists, Young Africans.

A cat-and-mouse game between coach Rulani Mokwena and former Sundowns assistant coach ended goalless ahead of the return leg in Pretoria this weekend.

In Lubumbashi, TP Mazembe were held by a tough Petro de Luanda side who denied them a result in front of their fans.

Despite good defending from the Angolans, Mazembe will be hoping to be more clinical this weekend when facing the Angolan champions in Luanda.

Another goalless draw ended the first leg Quarter-Final fixtures in Tunis as four-time champions, Esperance Sportive de Tunis were also held to a goalless stalemate by a stubborn Asec Mimosas side who are determined to end their continental drought this season.

Now, let’s take a look at the crunchy fixtures of CAF Champions League Quarter Finals First Leg Results:

Simba AC 0 – 1 Al Ahly SC

TP Mazembe 0 – 0 Atletico Petroleos

Young Africans 0 – 0 Mamelodi Sundowns

Esperance de Tunis 0 – 0 Asec Mimosas

Quarter-Finals Return Leg Fixtures:

Friday, 05 April

18h00 GMT | Mamelodi Sundowns v Young Africans

20h00 GMT | Al Ahly SC v Simba SC

Saturday, 06 April

16h00 GMT | Atletico Petroleos v TP Mazembe

20h00 GMT | Asec Mimosas v Esperance