2025/26 CAF Champions League Quarter-finals: What to expect in first-leg clashes

The 2025/26 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League reaches an exciting stage this weekend as Africa’s top clubs prepare for the quarter-final first-leg matches, promising intense battles and high-stakes football.

With CAF recently announcing a prize increase to USD 6 million for the winners, the incentive for the eight remaining clubs is higher than ever.

After a thrilling group stage, the knockout rounds bring a smaller margin for error as some of the continent’s elite sides go head-to-head. South Africa’s 2016 champions Mamelodi Sundowns will host Mali’s Stade Malien in Pretoria on Friday, 13 March (kick-off 20h00 local time / 18h00 GMT). Sundowns, regulars at this stage of continental competitions, will be looking to improve on last season’s runner-up finish. Stade Malien, on the other hand, return to the CAF Champions League knockout rounds for the first time since 1985, setting up an intriguing clash between experience and ambition.

Egypt’s defending champions Pyramids FC travel to Morocco to face AS FAR on Friday, 13 March (22h00 local time / 21h00 GMT). Pyramids topped their group with 16 points from 18, scoring a tournament-high 14 goals. This pairing mirrors their 2024/25 quarter-final, which saw Pyramids win the first leg 4-1 before AS FAR secured a 2-0 home victory, promising another competitive tie.

Morocco’s RS Berkane will host Sudan’s Al Hilal SC on Saturday, 14 March (22h00 local time / 21h00 GMT). Berkane, holders of the CAF Confederation Cup, are making their debut in the Champions League, while Al Hilal reach the quarter-finals for a second consecutive season. Their only prior encounter came in the 2018 CAF Confederation Cup, where Berkane won 3-0 on aggregate, adding extra intrigue to this matchup.

Finally, Egypt’s record twelve-time champions Al Ahly travel to Tunisia to face Espérance Sportive de Tunis on Sunday, 15 March (22h00 local time / 21h00 GMT). The two sides have a rich history of competitive encounters, including the 2023/24 CAF Champions League final, which Al Ahly won 1-0 on aggregate, setting the stage for another intense regional clash.

The second legs are scheduled for the weekend of 21–22 March, promising decisive outcomes as Africa’s elite battle for a place in the semi-finals.