As Africa’s top club competition moves into its last round of group matches, this weekend will see the completion of the quarterfinal schedule for this season’s TotalEnergies CAF Champions League.
With the upsets, excitement, and goals that have defined the continent’s largest club competition throughout the years, this season’s edition has been nothing short of extraordinary.
Five clubs joined Al-Hilal SC (Sudan) in claiming a spot in the quarterfinals with one game remaining after another thrilling round of matches last week, leaving two spots up for grabs this weekend.
After Match Day 4, defending champions Al Ahly (Egypt), AS FAR (Morocco), Orlando Pirates (South Africa), Esperance (Tunisia), and Pyramids FC (Egypt) joined Al-Hilal as the first team to guarantee their spot.
Ahly and Pirates have already qualified from Group C, while Esperance and Pyramids have advanced from Group D.
The final two spots will be determined from Groups A and B. Young Africans (7) and MC Alger (8) are separated by just one point, so the Group A match in Dar es Salaam is sure to be exciting.
Yanga is keen to exact revenge for their 2-0 setback in Algiers in December.
As they go to Pretoria to play 2016 winners Mamelodi Sundowns, Raja Casablanca, who are away to the already-deposed Maniema Union, will also be depending on their Moroccan rivals, AS FAR, to have a favourable outcome.
Sundowns, who are only one point behind AS FAR, require only a draw to advance, while AS FAR wants to finish first in the group.
Five clubs have already qualified for the next round, but there is still pride at stake in the final round of games.
Pirates will travel to Cairo to play the reigning champions Al Ahly, who held them to a goalless draw in Soweto two weeks ago.
With an away victory over TP Mazembe, who were eliminated in the penultimate round, Al Hilal hopes to avenge their home loss to Young Africans last weekend.
TotalEnergies CAF Champions League Match Day 6 Fixtures:
Saturday, 18 January
Group A
TP Mazembe Vs Al Hilal FC
Young Africans SC Vs MC Alger
Group C
Stade d’Abidjan V CR Belouizdad
Al Ahly SC Vs Orlando Pirates FC
Group D
Esperance Vs Sagrada Esperança
Pyramids Vs Djoliba FC
Sunday, 19 January:
Group B
Maniema Union Vs Raja Casablanca
Sundowns Vs AS FAR
