The Confederation of African Football has officially conducted the draws for the quarter-finals and semi-finals of the 2025/26 CAF Champions League in Cairo. Supervised by football legends Mohamed Sissoko and Emad Moteab, the event at the Egyptian Football Association headquarters established a high-stakes knockout bracket featuring intense North African derbies and storied rivalries, Trybal News reports.
Pyramids FC entered the draw as a dominant force after topping their group with 16 points, while defending champions Al Ahly secured their progression as group leaders to set up a monumental clash against Tunisian giants Espérance.
A repeat of the CAF Champions League 2024 final, the pairing of Espérance and Al Ahly has been dubbed the African Derby due to the significant historical weight between the two clubs. Al Ahly is currently pursuing a record-extending 13th title, while Espérance aims for their fifth trophy and their first since 2019. The Egyptian champions are scheduled to travel to Tunisia for the first leg between March 13 and 15, with the decisive return leg taking place in Cairo one week later. This fixture revives memories of the 2018 final where Espérance famously overturned a two-goal deficit to clinch the championship.
In another section of the bracket, Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa will face the season’s surprise package, Stade Malien. The Malian side made history by advancing to the last eight after 19 previous failed attempts to reach the group stages since 2001. Sundowns, who are heavily favored to progress, will host the first leg in mid-March before traveling to Bamako for the return fixture. The winner of this tie is slated to meet either Al Ahly or Espérance in a potential heavyweight semi-final clash that could define the tournament’s trajectory.
The draw also outlined a competitive path for Pyramids FC, who have been paired with Morocco’s AS FAR in a match that promises tactical intensity. Under the confirmed semi-final bracket, the victor of the Pyramids and AS FAR tie will advance to meet either RS Berkane of Morocco or Sudan’s Al-Hilal Omdurman. These quarter-final matchups are designed to test the consistency of the group winners against battle-hardened opponents, with RS Berkane specifically looking to leverage their home advantage in the second leg to secure a place in the final four.
CAF confirmed that the first-leg matches for the quarter-finals are scheduled for March 13 to 14, 2026, with the return legs following on March 20 and 21. The winners will then move into the semi-finals in April, with the first legs held between April 10 and 12 and the return matches between April 17 and 19. This rigorous schedule leads directly to the grand finale of the Champions League, which is currently set for May 24, 2026. The structure ensures that only the most resilient teams will survive the intense travel and competitive pressure of the knockout rounds.
The excitement surrounding the draw reflects the growing stature of the continental club competitions and the emergence of teams like Stade Malien alongside traditional powerhouses. With the bracket now finalized, the road to the final appears fraught with challenges for the favorites, as the potential for upsets remains high in knockout football. Fans across the continent are preparing for a month of high-octane action as the eight remaining clubs vie for the most prestigious prize in African club football and a chance to cement their legacy on the international stage.
