The 2024/25 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League has reached its penultimate stage, with four continental heavyweights—Al Ahly, Pyramids FC, Mamelodi Sundowns, and Orlando Pirates—poised for a historic semi-final showdown. In a landmark moment for African club football, South Africa and Egypt each boast two representatives, setting up high-stakes North versus South clashes that promise drama, flair, and fierce competition.
Defending champions Al Ahly of Egypt continued their relentless pursuit of a record-extending 13th title, dispatching Al Hilal of Sudan with a composed 2-0 aggregate victory. The Cairo giants now brace for a titanic encounter with South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns, who narrowly edged past Esperance Sportive de Tunis with a gritty 1-0 win over two legs. This fixture rekindles a modern rivalry that has become a staple of African football excellence.
Meanwhile, Orlando Pirates booked their return to the semi-finals for the first time since 2013 after a dogged performance against Algeria’s MC Alger. The Buccaneers held firm in a tense 0-0 draw at home, building on their vital 1-0 first-leg win in Algiers. Awaiting them are Egyptian outfit Pyramids FC, who scripted history by reaching the semi-finals for the first time, edging Morocco’s FAR Rabat 4-3 on aggregate despite a second-leg stumble.
These matchups represent more than just football contests—they’re cultural battles and a celebration of the game’s evolution on the African continent. Both ties carry rich narratives: the seasoned might of Al Ahly against the tactical precision of Sundowns, and the rising ambition of Pyramids FC clashing with the resurgent Pirates.
The semi-final first legs are scheduled for 18 and 19 April, with the return legs set for 25 and 26 April. The winners will earn a place in the two-legged final to be played in May and June, where glory, legacy, and continental supremacy await.
