The road to the semi-finals of the 2024/25 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League heats up on Tuesday as Africa’s top clubs gear up for decisive second-leg battles filled with drama, ambition, and continental pride. With some sides holding slim advantages and others chasing comebacks, the stage is set for a thrilling conclusion to the quarterfinal stage.
South African powerhouse Mamelodi Sundowns head into hostile territory with a slender 1-0 advantage over Esperance Sportive de Tunis, following a hard-fought first-leg win. Coach Miguel Cardoso knows the job is far from done, especially at the intimidating Rades Stadium.
Sundowns will lean on the experience of Namibian striker Peter Shalulile and Brazilian midfielder Lucas Ribeiro to carry them through. However, Esperance, under Maher Kanzari, are desperate for a fifth CAF Champions League crown and will be counting on Youcef Belaïli to inspire a comeback in front of a passionate home crowd.
Orlando Pirates take a 1-0 lead back to Johannesburg as they prepare to host Algeria’s MC Alger. The Buccaneers were impressed with a disciplined away performance in Algiers and will now look to seal their place in the semi-finals at home.
Coach José Riveiro will hope to see more attacking firepower from Evidence Makgopa and possibly a return to action from fan-favourite Monnapule Saleng. MC Alger, however, are determined to fight back and will need a courageous display to flip the script away from home.
With a commanding 4-1 first-leg win in Cairo, Pyramids FC appear to have one foot in the semi-finals—but a trip to face Morocco’s Royal Army in Rabat could still hold surprises.
The Egyptian club dazzled in attack through Ibrahim Adel, Ramadan Sobhi, and Fiston Mayele, and coach Krunoslav Jurcic will look to replicate that form. Royal Army, managed by Alexandre Santos, are hoping home turf can fuel a miracle comeback amid rising tensions between the two sides over fan restrictions and stadium logistics.
Record titleholders Al Ahly carry a narrow 1-0 edge into a tricky away clash against Al Hilal, who will host the second leg in Nouakchott, Mauritania due to instability in Sudan.
Coach Marcel Koller will expect sharper finishing from stars like Achraf Bencharki, Imam Ashour, and Wissam Abu Ali, while veteran goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shenawy anchors the defense. But Florent Ibenge’s Al Hilal—featuring Mohamed Abdel-Rahman “El Gharbal”, Jean-Claude, and Khadem Diaw—are gunning for their first semi-final appearance since 2015 and will look to take full advantage of a charged home atmosphere.
From Rades to Rabat and Johannesburg to Nouakchott, the second legs promise high-stakes action, intense rivalries, and moments of magic. As the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League quarterfinals reach their climax, only the strongest will survive and take a step closer to African club football’s most coveted prize.
