In a thrilling encounter on Saturday night, Esperance Sportive de Tunis fought tooth and nail to secure their place in the quarter-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League, completing the lineup of the top eight teams vying for Africa's most prestigious club football trophy.
The Tunisians clinched their spot with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Al Hilal SC in a tense home match, showcasing their resilience and determination on the field.
Among the teams that advanced to the quarter-finals, five boast previous championship titles, adding to the intensity and prestige of the competition. Additionally, Tanzanian teams Simba and Young Africans made their mark, adding diversity to the mix.
While some teams are yet to taste continental success, seasoned powerhouses like Al Ahly, TP Mazembe, Esperance, ASEC Mimosas, and Mamelodi Sundowns bring a wealth of experience, having lifted the coveted trophy in the past.
Defending champions Al Ahly continued their title defense with a solid 1-0 home win against Young Africans, securing the top spot in Group D with 12 points.
Sundowns claimed the Group A top spot with 13 points after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over TP Mazembe, who also secured their quarter-final berth as the group's second-placed team.
In Group B, ASEC Mimosas emerged as leaders with 11 points despite a loss to former champions Wydad Casablanca, while Simba's impressive 6-0 win over Jwaneng Galaxy propelled them into the quarter-finals alongside Wydad.
Group C saw Petro de Luanda and Esperance clinch their spots in the quarter-finals. Petro de Luanda topped the group with 12 points after a convincing 2-0 win over Etoile du Sahel, while Esperance secured second place with 11 points following their hard-fought 1-0 victory against Al Hilal.
The date for the draw of the quarter-finals will be announced by CAF in the coming days.
**Quarter-Finalists:**
1. Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
2. TP Mazembe (DR Congo)
3. ASEC Mimosas (Cote d’Ivoire)
4. Simba (Tanzania)
5. Petro de Luanda (Angola)
6. Esperance (Tunisia)
7. Al Ahly (Egypt)
8. Young Africans (Tanzania)
