David GOMBE
Six teams have secured qualification to the CAF Champions League quarterfinals following their astonishing performances in the group stage.
Holders Ahly sealed a quarterfinal slot after a 1-0 victory over Ghana’s Medeama with a game to spare in the group phase.
Ivorian side Asec Mimosas, South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns, Angola’s Petro de Luanda, former African Champions and FIFA Club World Cup finalists TP Mazembe and Tanzania’s Young Africans also advanced.
Mamelodi Sundowns and TP Mazembe are through in Group A, while Group D was decided by Ahly and Young Africans’ respective wins, meaning that the two remaining places will be contested in Group B and C.
In Group B, Morocco’s Wydad AC who had a rather slow start to their Group Stage campaign boosted their chances of progression after a narrow 1-0 win over Jwaneng Galaxy in Botswana.
They are now tied on six (6) points with Simba AC, who face Jwaneng Galaxy in next week’s final round, while Wydad take on the high-flying Asec Mimosas.
In Group C, Petro de Luanda’s qualification leaves the race for a second place to be contested by Esperance Sportive de Tunis and Al-Hilal. The two sides face each in Tunis on Saturday.
