Al Ahly, Espérance Set For Blockbuster CAF Champions League Quarter-final

Al Ahly, Espérance Set For Blockbuster CAF Champions League Quarter-final

Sampson Adedeji

Record 12-time African champions Al Ahly SC will square up against Tunisian giants Espérance Sportive de Tunis in a heavyweight North African showdown in the 2025/26 CAF Champions League quarter-finals, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The last-eight draw, conducted in Cairo on Tuesday, mapped out the route to the final, producing a series of high-profile fixtures across the continent.

Al Ahly will travel to Tunisia for the first leg before hosting Espérance in the decisive return leg in Cairo.

Defending champions Pyramids FC face a tricky assignment against Morocco’s AS FAR, starting away from home in the opening leg.

Last season’s runners-up Mamelodi Sundowns will begin their campaign at home against Mali’s Stade Malien, while Moroccan side RS Berkane host Sudanese outfit Al Hilal Omdurman in their first-leg encounter.

The quarter-final first legs are scheduled for March 13–15, with the return fixtures set for March 20–22. The semi-final draw was also concluded.

The winner between Espérance and Al Ahly will host the first leg of their semi-final clash against the winner of the tie between Mamelodi Sundowns and Stade Malien.

In the other semi-final pairing, the winner of AS FAR versus Pyramids FC will enjoy home advantage in the first leg against the winner of RS Berkane and Al Hilal.

The semi-final matches will take place from April 10–12 (first legs) and April 17–19 (second legs). The team that progresses from the first semi-final will host the first leg of the final on May 15, while the return leg is scheduled for May 24.