Highly tactical opening to TotalEnergies CAF Champions League Quarter-Finals

• Al Ahly the only victors in first-leg quarter-finals
• Highly tactical duels in all four encounters
• Close results set up exciting return leg fixtures

TotalEnergies CAF Champions League Quarter-Final action got off to a highly tactical start this past weekend, as the exciting race towards the semi-finals kicked off on Friday, 29 March.

Defending champions, Al Ahly showed their pedigree away from home when facing a spirited Simba AC side at the Benjamin Mkwapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Friday.

Despite being pinned in their own half for most of the encounter, the defending champions managed a crucial 1-0 win over the Tanzanians thanks to an early Ahmed Koka goal.

The save venue played host to former champions and reigning African Football League kings Mamelodi Sundowns the following day, as they were welcomed by last seasons’ TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup finalists, Young Africans.

A highly tactical battle between coach Rulani Mokwena and former Sundowns assistant coach concluded with a goalless stalemate ahead of the return leg in Pretoria this weekend.

In Lubumbashi, TP Mazembe were frustrated by a resilient Petro de Luanda side who denied them a result in front of their fans.

Despite good defending from the Angolans, Mazembe will be hoping to be more clinical this weekend when facing the Angolan champions in Luanda.

Another goalless draw concluded the first leg Quarter-Final fixtures in Tunis as four-time champions, Esperance Sportive de Tunis were also held to a goalless stalemate by a stubborn Asec Mimosas side who are determined to end their continental drought this season.

TotalEnergies CAF Champions League QF First Leg Results:

Simba AC 0 – 1 Al Ahly SC

TP Mazembe 0 – 0 Atletico Petroleos  

Young Africans 0 – 0 Mamelodi Sundowns

Esperance de Tunis 0 - 0 Asec Mimosas

Quarter-Finals Return Leg Fixtures: 

Friday, 05 April

18h00 GMT | Mamelodi Sundowns v Young Africans 

20h00 GMT | Al Ahly SC v Simba SC 

Saturday, 06 April 

16h00 GMT | Atletico Petroleos v TP Mazembe 

20h00 GMT | Asec Mimosas v Esperance 

For more on the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League, CLICK HERE and follow the conversation on #TotalEnergiesCAFCL.