North Africa derbies headline CAF Champions League quarter final fixtures
CAF Champions League: Sundowns Draw Stade Malien as Heavyweights Renew Old Rivalries
By Nengi Ernest
Former champions Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa have been drawn against Malian Stade Malien in the quarter-finals of the CAF Champions League following the draw conducted in Cairo on Tuesday.
Defending champions Pyramids FC of Egypt will lock horns with Morocco’s FAR Rabat in a repeat of last season’s quarter-final showdown, while record holders and 12-time winners Al Ahly resume their long-standing rivalry with Tunisian giants Esperance in one of the standout ties of the last eight.
In another intriguing pairing, Moroccan debutants Renaissance Berkane will face Sudanese heavyweights Al Hilal, who are making a record 39th appearance in Africa’s elite club competition.
The quarter-final fixtures are slated for March, with the semi-finals set for April and the final scheduled for May.
Stade Malien’s meeting with Sundowns carries a compelling backstory. After 19 failed attempts to reach the group stage, the Malians finally broke through this season, topping a group many expected four-time champions Esperance to dominate.
Sundowns, on the other hand, endured a difficult group-stage campaign, going four matches without a win before Colombian forward Brayan León struck twice in a decisive final-round victory over Algeria’s Mouloudia Alger to seal their place in the knockouts.
Pyramids FC arrive at the quarter-finals as arguably the most convincing side in the competition so far. The Egyptian champions, winners of the Champions League last season in only their second appearance, posted an impressive record of eight wins and two draws. Their form has remained strong despite Congolese striker Mahmoud Mayele last season’s top scorer with nine goals failing to find the net in six group matches this term.
Al Ahly remain the only other unbeaten team in the competition, with former Aston Villa forward Mahmoud “Trezeguet” Hassan leading their charge with five goals. The Cairo giants will, however, be wary of Esperance, who have responded to a modest group-stage showing just two wins from six games by replacing coach Maher Kanzari with French tactician Patrice Beaumelle.
Elsewhere, Al Hilal’s clash with Renaissance Berkane comes with logistical challenges. Due to the ongoing civil war in Sudan, Al Hilal will host the second leg of the tie in Rwanda. Berkane, three-time CAF Confederation Cup winners, have found life tougher in the Champions League, losing two group matches and conceding 10 goals the highest tally among the remaining teams.
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