The group stage in the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Champions League ended on Saturday with eight teams qualifying to the quarter-finals, of which four Arab teams including Espérance Sportive de Tunis, the defending champions; Egypt’s Al Ahly, runner-up of last edition; Morocco’s Wydad AC; and Algeria’s CS Constantine.
From group A, Wydad AC qualified with 10 points with one-goal difference from South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns which came second in the group.
Mamelodi Sundowns advanced to the next round of the CAF Champions League despite losing 1-0 to Wydad AC in Saturday’s Group A clash at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah in Rabat.
As for Group B, ES Tunis qualified after topping the group with 14 points collected from four wins. ES Tunis won 2-1 over Zimbabwe’s FC Platinum, in the final round. Horoya AC has also managed to qualify from Group B with 10 points collected from three wins and a draw.
The Group C witnessed vicious competition until its last round between TP Mazembe, CS Constantine, Club Africain, and Ismaily SC. Mazembe was able to qualify as first of the group with 11 points. Constantine came second and Club Africain came third with 10 points.
In Group D, Al Ahly qualified as leader of its group after gaining 10 points. On Saturday, the Cairo giant beat JS Saoura 3-0 in the final round of the group stage. While Simba SC secured a place in the quarter-finals after a last-minute 2-1 win over AS Vita Club in the same round, increasing its points to nine.
The draw for quarter-finals is expected to be held on 20 March.
