Mamelodi Sundowns and Esperance Sportive de Tunis secured important first-leg victories as the CAF Champions League quarterfinals got underway, while the other two ties ended level ahead of the decisive return fixtures this weekend.
South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns produced the most convincing result of the round, defeating Stade Malien 3–0 in Pretoria. Goals from Khuliso Mudau, Iqraam Rayners and Bryan Onyango Leon handed the Brazilians a commanding advantage ahead of the second leg.
The 2016 African champions, who have Ugandan international goalkeeper Denis Onyango in their ranks, are now strong favourites to book a place in the semi-finals of Africa’s premier club competition.
In Tunis, Esperance Sportive de Tunis edged Egyptian powerhouse Al Ahly SC 1–0 in a tightly contested encounter. Defender Mohamed Amine Tougai converted from the penalty spot midway through the second half to give the Tunisian side a slender lead.
Record champions Al Ahly SC will hope to overturn the deficit when the two sides meet again at the iconic Cairo International Stadium on Saturday, March 21.
Elsewhere, reigning champions Pyramids FC fought back to secure a 1–1 draw away to Moroccan side AS FAR Rabat. Ahmed Hammoudan put the hosts ahead in the eighth minute, but Zalak restored parity for the Egyptian outfit early in the second half.
Another evenly balanced contest saw RS Berkane held to a 1–1 draw by Sudan’s Al Hilal Omdurman. Abdelrazig Omer gave the visitors an early advantage before Berkane salvaged the tie late on through a penalty from Mounir Chouiar. The Sudanese side finished the match with ten men after Steven Ebuela was shown a red card.
The second-leg matches are scheduled for this coming weekend and will determine the four clubs that advance to the semi-finals of the continent’s most prestigious club tournament.
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