CAF Champions League Quarterfinals Kick Off with High Stakes and US$6M Prize

The TotalEnergies CAF Champions League 2025/26 has advanced to the quarterfinal stage, where eight top clubs vie for glory and a record US$6 million prize for the champions, as announced by the Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) this week.

After an exciting group phase, the knockout rounds begin with slim margins for error among Africa’s football powerhouses. The first-leg fixtures promise intense action.

On Friday, March 13, South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns, 2016 winners and last season’s runners-up, welcome Mali’s Stade Malien to Loftus Stadium in Pretoria at 9pm. Sundowns are seasoned at this level, but Stade Malien marks their first knockout appearance since 1985.

Also on Friday at 1am, defending champions Pyramids FC from Egypt travel to Morocco’s AS FAR at Stade Olympique de Rabat. Pyramids topped the group stage with 16 points and 14 goals, repeating their 2024/25 quarterfinal clash where they won the away leg 4-1 before losing at home.

Saturday, March 14 at 1am sees Moroccan Confederation Cup holders RS Berkane host Sudan’s Al Hilal SC at Stade Municipal de Berkane. Berkane debuts in the Champions League, while Al Hilal returns for a second straight year; their last meeting was a 3-0 aggregate Berkane win in 2018 Confederation Cup.

The weekend closes Sunday, March 15 at 12am (Monday local) with Egypt’s record 12-time champions Al Ahly visiting Tunisia’s Espérance Sportive de Tunis at Hammadi Agrebi Stadium in Rades. Their latest encounter was the 2023/24 final, where Al Ahly triumphed 1-0 on aggregate.

Second legs are set for March 21-22.

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)