CAF CL: Al Ahly, Al Hilal, Pyramids and Esperance learn Quarterfinal opponents

Record 12-time African champions Al Ahly have been drawn against Tunisian giants Esperance Sportive de Tunis in a blockbuster North African quarter-final in the 2025/26 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League.

The draw, conducted in Cairo on Tuesday, mapped out the route to the final for the eight remaining contenders and also determined the semi-final pairings.

The clash between Al Ahly and Espérance is widely seen as the standout tie of the round, pitting two of the continent’s most decorated clubs against each other.

Al Ahly will travel to Tunis for the first leg before hosting the decisive return match in Cairo, setting the stage for a fiercely contested two-legged battle between regional heavyweights.

Defending champions Pyramids FC also face a challenging assignment. They will begin their quarter-final campaign away from home against Moroccan side AS FAR, with the second leg to follow in Egypt.

Pyramids will be aiming to build on last season’s success as they continue their pursuit of continental dominance.

Elsewhere, last season’s runners-up Mamelodi Sundowns start at home against Stade Malien.

The South African side will look to capitalize on home advantage in the first leg before traveling to Mali for the return fixture.

Meanwhile, Moroccan outfit RS Berkane will host Sudan’s Al Hilal in their opening encounter, with the second leg set to take place in Sudan.

The quarter-final first legs are scheduled for 13–15 March, with the return matches taking place from 20–22 March. The draw also outlined the semi-final pathway.

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

In the other semi-final, the victor between AS FAR and Pyramids FC will play the first leg at home against the winner of RS Berkane vs Al Hilal.

The semi-final ties are slated for 10–12 April (first legs) and 17–19 April (second legs).

Teams advancing from the first semi-final will enjoy home advantage in the opening leg on 15 May, before the second and decisive leg on 24 May determines Africa’s next club champion.

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