Dicey clashes in semi-finals of CAF Champions League
The final four teams for the 2024/25 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League have been confirmed, following an intense round of quarter-final fixtures that showcased the very best of African club football.
For the first time in the competition’s modern era, South Africa and Egypt will each be represented by two clubs in the semi-finals, setting up two heavyweight North vs South African clashes.
Record 12-time champions and title holders Al Ahly of Egypt continued their pursuit of an unprecedented 13th crown with a 2-0 aggregate win over Al Hilal of Sudan.
They will now face Mamelodi Sundowns, who edged Tunisiaís Esperance Sportive de Tunis 1-0 over two legs in what has become one of the great modern rivalries in African football.
Orlando Pirates secured their semi-final place after a hard-fought goalless draw at home to MC Alger, building on their first-leg 1-0 win in Algiers. This result sees the South African giants return to the semi-finals of Africaís premier club competition for the first time since 2013.
Pyramids FC, meanwhile, made history by reaching the CAF Champions League semi-finals for the first time in their history. Despite a 2-0 second-leg defeat to Moroccoís FAR Rabat, their emphatic 4-1 first-leg triumph in Cairo was enough to see them through 4-3 on aggregate.
The Cairo-based club will now face Orlando Pirates in what promises to be a thrilling contest.
The four semi-finalists will battle for a place in the two-legged TotalEnergies CAF Champions League Final scheduled for May and June.—CAF
