South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns and Tunisian powerhouse Espérance Sportive de Tunis emerged as the only sides to secure victories in the first-leg matches of the quarter-finals of the CAF Champions League, strengthening their chances of advancing to the last four.
Sundowns delivered the most convincing performance of the round, cruising to a dominant 3–0 victory over Mali’s Stade Malien. The South African outfit displayed their attacking prowess with strikes from Khuliso Mudau, Iqraam Rayners and Bryan Leon sealing a comfortable advantage ahead of the return fixture.
The Pretoria-based side, which counts Ugandan veteran goalkeeper Denis Onyango among its ranks, now appears well positioned to secure a semi-final berth. The 2016 champions controlled proceedings throughout the contest and will head into the second leg as overwhelming favourites.
In Tunis, Espérance Sportive de Tunis edged out Egyptian heavyweights Al Ahly SC with a narrow 1–0 triumph. The decisive moment came midway through the second half when defender Mohamed Amine Tougai calmly converted from the penalty spot to hand the hosts a slim but valuable advantage.
The Cairo-based giants, widely regarded as the most successful club in African football, will now look to overturn the deficit when they host the second leg on Saturday, March 21 at the iconic Cairo International Stadium.
View this post on Instagram
Elsewhere, the remaining quarter-final fixtures ended level. Reigning champions Pyramids FC were held to a 1–1 draw away against Morocco’s AS FAR Rabat. The Moroccan side made a bright start when Ahmed Hammoudan found the net in the eighth minute, but Zalaka restored parity for the Egyptian visitors shortly after the restart.
Another closely fought encounter took place in Morocco where RS Berkane salvaged a 1–1 draw against Sudanese outfit Al Hilal Omdurman, who are currently competing in the Rwandan league due to domestic challenges back home.
Abdelrazig Omer gave the visitors an early lead before Berkane fought back late in the contest. The equaliser came from the penalty spot, with Mounir Chouiar converting after the Sudanese side had been reduced to ten men following the dismissal of Steven Ebuela.
Full time in the CAF Champions League
RS Berkane 1-1 Al Hilal SC
Positive result away from home 💙
See you soon at Amahoro Stadium 🏟
🇷🇼 ❤️ 🇸🇩 pic.twitter.com/iFRZ2wQuTP
— Rwanda Premier League (@RwandaLeague) March 15, 2026
With the first-leg action complete, attention now shifts to the decisive return fixtures scheduled for the coming weekend, where the four semi-finalists of Africa’s premier club competition will be confirmed.
