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TotalEnergies CAF Champions League 2025/26: Quarter-Final Showdowns Ahead
The excitement in African club football reaches a fever pitch this weekend as the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League 2025/26 enters its quarter-final stage. Four thrilling first-leg matches are set to unfold, showcasing the tremendous talent and competitive spirit of the continent’s top clubs.
Increased Stakes for Africa’s Elite
This week, the Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) has announced an increase in prize money, with a whopping USD 6 million awaiting the winners. This significant financial incentive adds extra motivation for the eight competitive clubs still vying for continental glory.
Knockout Rounds Kick Off
After an exhilarating group stage, the knockout rounds present a new challenge where the margins for victory are razor-thin. Here’s a look at the quarter-final matches set to create drama and excitement.
Mamelodi Sundowns vs Stade Malien
Two-time champions, Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa, will face Stade Malien of Mali at Loftus Stadium in Pretoria on Friday, 13 March, with kickoff scheduled for 20:00 local time (18:00 GMT). Sundowns are determined to improve upon their runner-up finish from last season, while Stade Malien is making their first appearance in the knockout stages since 1985.
Pyramids FC vs AS FAR
Defending champions Pyramids FC from Egypt will travel to Morocco to take on AS FAR on the same night at 22:00 local time (21:00 GMT). Pyramids dominated the group stages, earning 16 points out of a possible 18 and scoring 14 goals, the highest in the tournament. This match is a repeat of last year’s quarter-final, where Pyramids initially triumphed with a decisive 4-1 victory in the first leg.
RS Berkane vs Al Hilal SC
On Saturday, 14 March, RS Berkane will host Al Hilal SC from Sudan at Stade Municipal de Berkane, beginning at 22:00 local time (21:00 GMT). Berkane, fresh off winning the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup, will be keen to make a mark in their debut season in the Champions League. Al Hilal will look to continue their strong form, having reached the quarter-finals for the second consecutive year. The last encounter between these teams was in 2018, where Berkane won 3-0 on aggregate.
Espérance Sportive de Tunis vs Al Ahly
The final quarter-final match will see Al Ahly of Egypt venture to Tunisia to take on regional rivals Espérance Sportive de Tunis on Sunday, 15 March, at 22:00 local time (21:00 GMT). Both teams have a rich history of competitive matchups, with the most recent being the 2023/24 final, where Al Ahly secured a 1-0 win.
Match Schedule
Here are the fixtures for the first leg:
- Friday, 13 March 2026
- 20:00 (18:00 GMT): Mamelodi Sundowns vs Stade Malien – Loftus Stadium, Pretoria
- 22:00 (21:00 GMT): AS FAR vs Pyramids FC – Stade Olympique de Rabat
- Saturday, 14 March 2026
- 22:00 (21:00 GMT): RS Berkane vs Al Hilal – Stade Municipal de Berkane
- Sunday, 15 March 2026
- 22:00 (21:00 GMT): Espérance Sportive de Tunis vs Al Ahly – Hammadi Agrebi Stadium, Rades
The second legs of these ties will occur on the weekend of 21–22 March. For further details about the competition, visit www.cafonline.com.
Further Inquiries
If you have any questions or require additional information, please reach out to communications@cafonline.com.
Stay tuned for what promises to be an electrifying quarter-final phase in the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League!
