Know the 8 teams in the CAF Champions League Quarter-Final Draw 2025.

: The Road to Glory Begins in Doha

The anticipation is building as the draw for the quarter-finals of the 2024/25 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League takes place in Doha , Qatar, on 20th February. The eight remaining teams will soon discover their path to the final, with the stakes higher than ever in Africa’s premier club football competition.

The draw will see the four group winners face off against the four runners-up, though teams cannot be paired against clubs from their original group. Additionally, the semi-final draw will be conducted at the same time, giving teams a clearer vision of their potential road to the final.

Meet the Contenders

Group Winners

Al Hilal (Sudan)

• Coach: Florent Ibengé (DR Congo)
• Best Finish: Runners-up (1987, 1992)
  Al Hilal overcame adversity by playing their ‘home’ fixtures in Mauritania due to conflict in Sudan but still managed to top their group with 10 points. Their strong defensive unit played a crucial role, despite a heavy 4-0 loss to TP Mazembe in the final group game. Under the guidance of the experienced Florent Ibengé, Al Hilal are back in the quarter-finals for the first time since 2015.

AS FAR (Morocco)

• Coach: Alexandre Santos (Portugal)
• Best Finish: Winners (1985)
  The Moroccan giants went unbeaten in the group stage, securing two wins and four draws to finish with 10 points. Their solid performances have rekindled hopes of adding to their 1985 triumph. With Portuguese coach Alexandre Santos now at the helm, AS FAR will aim to make history once more.

Esperance Sportive de Tunis (Tunisia)

• Coach: Laurențiu Reghecampf (Romania)
• Best Finish: Winners (1994, 2011, 2018, 2019)
  Esperance edged Pyramids FC on head-to-head to claim the top spot in their group with 13 points. The attacking duo of Elias Mokwana and Achref Jabri played key roles, each netting three goals. Under Reghecampf’s leadership, Esperance have been nearly unstoppable, losing just once in 19 matches across all competitions.

Orlando Pirates (South Africa)

• Coach: Jose Riveiro (Spain)
• Best Finish: Winners (1995)
  The South African side recorded the highest points tally of the group stage (14), finishing unbeaten. A statement 2-1 victory over defending champions Al Ahly in their final group game cemented their resurgence under Spanish tactician Jose Riveiro. The Buccaneers are now dreaming of repeating their 1995 triumph.

Group Runners-Up

Al Ahly (Egypt)

• Coach: Marcel Koller (Switzerland)
• Best Finish: Winners (12 times, most recently 2023-24)
  The record 12-time champions finished second in their group behind Orlando Pirates. However, history suggests that Al Ahly’s best performances come in the knockout rounds, where their experience and tactical nous shine through. The Egyptian giants are seeking an unprecedented third consecutive CAF Champions League crown.

Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)

• Coach: Miguel Cardoso (Portugal)
• Best Finish: Winners (2016)
  The Brazilians finished behind AS FAR in their group, struggling somewhat in front of goal with just five strikes in six matches. Despite this, Sundowns remain a formidable force, having reached the knockout rounds in nine of the last ten seasons.

MC Alger (Algeria)

• Coach: Khaled Ben Yahia (Tunisia)
• Best Finish: Winners (1976)
  The Algerians earned their quarter-final spot through defensive solidity, conceding only two goals in the group stage—the fewest of any side. Their attack, however, managed just four goals, and they will need to improve if they hope to advance further.

Pyramids FC (Egypt)

• Coach: Krunoslav Jurčić (Croatia)
• Best Finish: Group Stage (2023-24)
  The Egyptian club has enjoyed a remarkable rise, reaching the quarter-finals in only their second CAF Champions League campaign. Their 14 goals in the group stage highlight their attacking prowess, making them a potential dark horse in the tournament.

What’s at Stake?

With a blend of continental heavyweights and ambitious challengers, this season’s knockout stage promises to deliver thrilling encounters. The draw in Doha will not only determine the quarter-final matchups but also provide a glimpse into potential semi-final clashes.

Al Ahly’s dominance, Esperance’s consistency, Orlando Pirates’ resurgence, and Al Hilal’s determination set the stage for an electrifying finale. Can a new champion emerge, or will the old guard reign supreme once again?

The road to glory is about to take shape—let the battle for Africa’s ultimate club football prize begin!