The quarterfinals of the CAF Champions League 1st Leg get underway this evening with four matches on the card as the most lucrative club competition in Africa returns after a long break.
Mamelodi Sundowns from South Africa will be at home against Esperance de Tunis of Tunisia at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria from 4pm EAT.
The clash not only brings together ‘The Brazilians’ and ‘The Blood and Gold’, two of Africa’s most exciting and dynamic teams, but also sees Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso come up against his former team – the Portuguese tactician was in charge of Esperance from January to October of 2024.
“Obviously, I follow the results [of Esperance] but not the games,” said Cardoso. “I know they are doing well. They are a team with experience and have been reaching the last stages of the Champions League and that has won it several times and always has the will to do well, but I think we should worry about ourselves and do well in the two games.”
In other 1st leg ties of the quarter finals on Tuesday, Orlando Pirates (South Africa) will head to North Africa for a clash with MC Alger (Algeria); reigning champions Al Ahly (Egypt) will host Al Hilal (Sudan) at the Cairo International Stadium; and Pyramids FC (Egypt) will welcome AS FAR (Morocco) for a thriller at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo.
