Zambia’s Neighbors Lead CAF Champions League Quarterfinals
Zambia’s Neighbors Lead CAF Champions League Quarterfinals
Title: “CAF Champions League: Ahly Joined by Seven Strong Contenders in Exciting Quarter-Final Lineup”
The CAF Champions League has entered its decisive phase with the quarter-finalists confirmed after a weekend of intense action. While Zambia is not represented in this stage, fans can follow Clatous Chota Chama with Simba and Kennedy Musonda with Young Africans.
This year’s quarter-finals present an interesting twist, with North Africa producing only two teams, a departure from the past six seasons where they dominated the quarter-final lineup. Instead, Zambia’s neighbors have stepped up, with Tanzania contributing two teams (Simba SC and Yanga SC), Angola with Petro de Luanda, DR Congo with TP Mazembe, and South Africa with Masandawana, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Petro de Luanda made history by becoming the first club to not concede a goal in the CAF Champions League group stage, scoring five goals without reply. Of the eight quarter-finalists, three are yet to win the continental title, including Al Ahly (11 titles), TP Mazembe (5), Esperance (4), Asec Mimosas (1), and Mamelodi Sundowns (1).
Petro de Luanda and Esperance advanced to the quarter-finals from Group C with victories on Saturday. Petro de Luanda topped the group with 12 points after a 2-0 win over Etoile du Sahel, while Esperance secured second place with 11 points following a 1-0 victory over Al Hilal.
Defending champions Al Ahly are on track for another title defense after a 1-0 home victory over Young Africans to finish atop Group D with 12 points.
This shift in the quarter-final lineup could mark a turning point in African club football, motivating Zambian clubs to perform better next season. Financially, this is significant for the clubs, with each set to pocket at least $900,000. The losing semi-finalists will receive $1.2 million, the runners-up $2 million, and the winners $4 million.
The quarter-final teams are as follows:
Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
TP Mazembe (DR Congo)
ASEC Mimosas (Cote d’Ivoire)
Simba (Tanzania)
Petro de Luanda (Angola)
Esperance (Tunisia)
Al Ahly (Egypt)
Young Africans (Tanzania)
CAF will announce the date for the quarter-final draw in the coming days.
