MEN SEPARATED FROM THE BOYS IN TOTALENERGIES CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE AND CONFEDERATIONS CUP QUARTERFINALS DRAW

Written by: Kamogelo Mogale

The men have been separated from the boys as the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League quarterfinals draw took place at the beIn Sports Studios in Doha, Qatar. With two teams from Egypt (Al Ahly SC and Pyramids), two team from South Africa (Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates), one team from Algeria (MC Alger), one team from Sudan (Al Hilal), one team from Morocco (AS Far Rabat), and one team from Tunisia ( Esperancé Sportive de Tunis), set to battle to become the ultimate champion of the continent.

The draw saw Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates, together with Al Ahly SC and Pyramids as fellow counterparts avoid each other. Downs coach Miguel Cardoso will face old foes as the Brazilians will play hosts to The Blood and Gold Club in the third quarterfinal match while The Buccaneers will travel away to Algeria’s capital Algiers, where they will square off against The People’s Club in the fourth quarterfinal match.

Meanwhile, the reigning champions league champions Ahly will begin their quest of defending their title against Al Hilal, where they will host the Blue Palace at home in the first quarterfinal match before jetting out for the second leg. Al Hilal topped their group having played their home matches in Mauritania due to ongoing conflict in Sudan.

Elsewhere, in the CAF Confederations Cup, Stellenbosch FC have been drowned in a tough encounter as they will face defending champions Zamalek in a North versus South encounter, with the White Knights in a quest to defend their title. Meanwhile, Fadlu Davids’ Simba SC has been drawn against Egyptian premier league outfit Al Masry. Davids will hope to guide the Reds of Msimbazi beyond the last-8 stage for the first time since the 2021/22 season.

Both the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League and Confederations Cup first legs will take place on the week of the 1st and 2nd April, with the second legs set to take place on the week of the 8th and 9th April. Kickoff times and venues will be announced in due course.