The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has unveiled the quarterfinal and semifinal draws for the 2024-25 CAF Champions League, promising an exciting knockout phase for the continent’s elite clubs. The eagerly anticipated draw took place at the beIN Sports headquarters in Doha, Qatar, on Thursday evening.
South African teams Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns, and Stellenbosch FC were among those awaiting their opponents, mindful of avoiding early domestic clashes at this stage.
The quarterfinal stage features a series of mouth-watering matchups that are set to thrill African football fans. Reigning champions Al Ahly of Egypt will defend their title against Al Hilal of Sudan, setting the stage for a high-stakes clash between two North African giants. The 12-time CAF champions, who finished as runners-up in their group, are aiming to make history by becoming the first club to win the Champions League three consecutive times.
Meanwhile, Pyramids FC, known for their attacking firepower, will face Moroccan side AS FAR. The Egyptian side scored an impressive 14 goals in the group stage, while AS FAR, led by Portuguese coach Alexandre Santos, went unbeaten in their campaign.
Esperance de Tunis, four-time champions and recent winners of the Tunisian Super Cup, will take on South African powerhouse Mamelodi Sundowns, setting up a clash between two of Africa’s most formidable clubs.
The final quarterfinal tie sees MC Alger go up against Orlando Pirates, who are chasing a semifinal appearance for the first time since 2013, having previously won the competition in 1995.
The quarterfinals will be played over two legs, with the first leg scheduled for April 1 and the return leg on April 8. The semifinals will follow the same format, culminating in the final in June, where the continent’s top club will be crowned.
With African football powerhouses facing off, the knockout rounds promise drama, high-quality football, and a battle for supremacy across the continent.
