Eight teams have qualified for the CAF Champions League quarter-finals, following the conclusion of the group stage on Sunday.
The draw for the next round will be held at a later date, with the first leg matches scheduled for March 28-29 and the return legs on April 4-5.
Here’s a look at the eight teams that qualified:
- Al Ahly (Egypt): The record 11-time champions and two-time defending champions boast the tournament’s best attack (14 goals), but also a leaky defence (7 goals conceded, tied with Al Hilal). Two defeats against CR Belouizdad and Orlando Pirates cost them the top spot in their group and raise questions ahead of the Club World Cup.
- Espérance Tunis (Tunisia): The four-time winners (1994, 2011, 2018, 2019) and reigning finalists showcased defensive solidity, conceding only three goals in the group stage. With 13 points, they are strong contenders. They have also qualified for the quarter-finals for nine consecutive seasons and have the in-form Youcef Belaïli (7 goals and 7 assists in 8 Champions League matches).
- Orlando Pirates (South Africa): The 1995 champions topped their group with 14 points, edging out Al Ahly. Their combination of solid defence and efficient attack makes them a potential dark horse.
- Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa): The 2016 winners qualified after a more difficult group stage than expected, winning only two of their six matches. They are determined to progress beyond the semi-final stage, where they were eliminated by Espérance Tunis last year.
- AS FAR Rabat (Morocco): Making their first quarter-final appearance in the new format, AS FAR Rabat bring a fresh dynamic to the competition. The 2005 CAF Cup winners are looking to replicate their success from the old format, which they won in 1985.
- Pyramids FC (Egypt): Also first-time quarter-finalists in the new format, Pyramids FC, the 2020 CAF Cup finalists, share the best attack of the group stage with Al Ahly (14 goals). They could be a surprise package.
- MC Alger (Algeria): The 1976 champions are the oldest title-winning team remaining. They qualified despite a recent coaching change and are making their first quarter-final appearance since 2021. They boast the competition’s best defence, conceding only two goals (both against Al Hilal).
- Al Hilal (Sudan): Although never crowned champions, Al Hilal demonstrated strong determination. Despite a modest attack (5 goals), they topped their group for most of the stage. Playing their matches in Mauritania due to the conflict in Sudan, they have performed admirably.