February 20, 2025, was the day the continent’s flagship club football tournament the champions league was set to have its knockout stage matchups decided, and the 8 teams to make it to the quarter finals were anxiously waiting to learn who their opponents would be.
Doha, Qatar was the venue for the draw as football loving fans on the continent were glued to the proceedings for the quarter finals draw to learn how the matchups will be like in the last 8, with two Betway Premiership sides in Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates representing not only South Africa but the entire Sub-Saharan part of the great continent of Africa.
With Cairo giants Al Ahly along with Egyptian counterparts in Pyramids FC, Al Hilal of Sudan, AS Rabat of Morrocco, Esperance of Tunisia, MC Alger of Algeria all from the Maghreb part of Africa, Tshwane giants Mamelodi Sundowns along with Soweto giants Orlando Pirates find themselves being the only ones representing the southern hemisphere and from the sub-Saharan side as well.
The protagonists in the last 8 are all titans in their own rights with Cairo giants Al Ahly, Tshwane giants Mamelodi Sundowns, Buccaneers Orlando Pirates, Esperance all being former champions with the remaining 4 all having contested in the later stages of the tournament prior.
With former TP Mazembe sensation Rainford Kalaba being at the podium as the matchups were being announced, the final 8 matchups played out like this with defending champions Al Ahly SC (Egypt) set to face a formidable challenge against Al Hilal (Sudan) as they seek to retain their title. Meanwhile, Pyramids (Egypt) will battle FAR Rabat (Morocco), with the Brazilians Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa) set to clash with Esperance (Tunisia), and Mouloudia Alger (Algeria) will go head-to-head with the Sea robbers the Buccaneers Orlando Pirates (South Africa).
The matchups promise to keep football loving fans on the continent on the edge of their seats, and all teams are set to bring the fanaticism that their fans will bring along with them, further galvanizing the continent’s biggest club football competition.
The first-leg fixtures are scheduled for 1st April, with the return legs set to take place on 8th April, and it is already countdown as we look forward to the 1st leg encounters, and for Mzansi Africa with the way the path to the semis and ultimately the final have been set, one hopes to see an all-South African final with Tshwane taking on Soweto.
Semi-Final Pathway
Mamelodi Sundowns or Esperance vs Al Ahly or Al Hilal
Mouloudia Alger or Orlando Pirates vs Pyramids or FAR Rabat
The matches will be played over two legs on the 18th and 25th April.
