CAF Champions League Quarter Finals - First Leg Recap
CAF Champions League Quarter Finals - First Leg Recap
The first legs of the CAF Champions League quarter-finals lit up the weekend exactly as promised. Roaring crowds, controversial VAR drama, and moments of pure attacking brilliance from some of the continent’s biggest stars combined to produce a spectacle worthy of Africa’s premier club competition. From electric atmospheres in the stands to high-stakes action on the pitch, the weekend had absolutely everything.
🤯🇹🇳 This was the FLAG of the fans of Esperance in Tunisia before the match with Al-Ahly for the CAF Champions League.
— Sunday League (@SundayShoutsFC) March 14, 2026
COMPLETE MADNESS. 🎇
pic.twitter.com/wAnWAMsEPP
Mamelodi Sundowns steamrolled past Stade Malien at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, FAR Rabat drew 1-1 with Pyramids FC, RSB Berkane were held by Al Hilal Omdurman, and Espérance got one over their bitter rivals Al Ahly to cap off a brilliant weekend of CAF football.
Let's break down each fixture, analyse the standout performances in each game, and see what we can expect from the second legs later this week.
Dominance From The Sundowns
Mamelodi Sundowns stormed past Malian side Stade Malien 3-0 on Friday night. An opening goal from defender Khuliso Mudau, followed by a second from in-form Colombian striker Brayan Léon put the Brazilians firmly in control. Iqraam Rayners rounded off the proceedings from the bench, scoring his 16th goal of the season to all but confirm Sundowns's ticket to the CAF Champions League semi-finals.
Nuno Santos got that insane football brain legs.
— 𝒴𝑒𝓁𝓁𝑜ℳ𝒶𝓃𝕏💛👆 (@YELL0MAN) March 15, 2026
Nuno Santos has the best football IQ in Africa. The man’s legs are GPS-guided. He could pick out Irvin Khoza’s missing teeth. Pure quality#Sundowns #BetwayPrem #OrlandoPirates #KaizerChiefs #CAFCL pic.twitter.com/8jqBQ692SI
The player of the match was undoubtably Portugal's Nuno Santos. Playing as an attacking midfielder, Santos provided 2 assists for the Sundowns and put in a performance that displayed immense intelligence, composure, and precision. This game took Santos' tally in the competition to 4 assists, he also has 2 goals to his name.
Signed in the summer from Liga Portugal side Vitoria de Guimaraes, when fit, Nuno Santos has been instrumental for the Brazilians. Many now regard him as the standout player across the entire continent. Brayan Léon continuing his fine form since signing for the side in January is another testament to the astute business the side has done recently. The Sundowns mission is clear, they want to be the best team in Africa again, and with a side boasting both national and international talent, they are firmly headed in the right direction.
• Nuno Santos is now up to 5 assists in 8 Champions League games this season.
— Micky Jnr (@MickyJnr__) March 13, 2026
• Rayners grabs his 14th goal of the season in 24 matches.
• Leon nets his 7th goal for Sundowns in just 13 games.
This Mamelodi Sundowns side looks unstoppable right now under fan-favorite… pic.twitter.com/0piWFxrqXr
For Stade Malien, the occasion was one of pride as opposed to anything else. Maruil Njoya expressed his gratitude for Mamelodi Sundowns, admitting the fixture fulfilled his dreams of watching the side as well as visiting South Africa. The gulf in quality between the two sides was evident throughout, but neutral fans will hope that the score can stay respectful in the second-leg, or at least, as respectful as it can be!
🎙️ Stade Malien coach Mauril Njoya:
— Lorenz Köhler (@Lorenz_KO) March 13, 2026
“I had two dreams, the first one to visit South Africa and the second one to go to heaven. So all I can say is that I’ve accomplished one.”
Full story 🔗 https://t.co/o5D97WR59q pic.twitter.com/tkNdzGOcsA
A Stalemate in Rabat
It was a cagey affair between FAR Rabat and Pyramids FC on Friday night, with an early goal from Ahmed Hammoudan being cancelled out by an equaliser from Pyramids' Zalaka, leading the game to result in a draw. Nonetheless, this makes the second leg a lot more excting, with everything still to play for.
FAR Rabat's 34-year old Moroccan winger Ahmed Hammoudan was the standout player of the match, and he can feel hard done by as his goal did not help the side grab the upper-hand. Egyptian side Pyramids FC were always going to put up a strong contest for the home side, and they did well to get something out of the game.
🚨 FT: AS FAR 1-1 Pyramids FC
— OJ (@Omoruyi___) March 14, 2026
Honours even in Morocco as both sides settle for a draw in the first leg of their CAF Champions League quarterfinal clash.
⚽ Ahmed Hammoudan 8’
⚽ Mahmoud Zalaka 52’#TotalEnergiesCAFCL | #234FootyXtra pic.twitter.com/brAMUR73xq
Nonetheless, FAR Rabat put in a fantastic defensive display reminiscent of the Moroccan national team. Central defenders Marouane Louadni and Fallou Mendy both put in an impeccable shift at the back and were unlucky to concede. The pair made 12 defensive contributions each, forming a wall that stood firmly in front of goal. Should their defensive prowess persist in the second leg in Egypt, then it will be very difficult for the Pyramids to break them down with ease yet again.
Dramatic Finish Between Berkane and Al Hilal Omdurman
RSB Berkane had to wait until a stoppage time penalty to rescue a draw against Al Hilal Omdurman in a game that truly encapsulated the drama of the CAF Champions League.
Sudanese attacking-midfielder Abdelraziq Omer, one of the star performers of the competition this season, opened the scoring for Al Hilal Omdurman in the 13th minute with a brilliant strike to take his goal tally to 5 in the tournament this season. However, unfortunately for the Sudanese team, they failed to hold out and secure the victory away from home.
#CAFCL | FT:
— 𝐓𝐰𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐫𝐮𝐦𝐮𝐤𝐢𝐳𝐚 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐫 (@twagirumukiza_) March 15, 2026
🛑RS BERKANE 1-1 AL HILAL
⚽Mounir Chouiar(P)_90+9
---------------------
⚽Abdelrazig Omer_13
🅰️Adama Coulibaly
NOT BAD TO @alhilalsudanofficial#footabll #CAFChampionsLeague #africafootball pic.twitter.com/2X2IZSxUbZ
A red card was shown to Al Hilal's right-back, Steven Ebuela, after a reckless challenge in the box, awarding a penalty to Berkane. The penalty was calmly slotted away by French midfielder Mounir Chouiar, who gave RSB Berkane something to fight for in the second leg. Chouiar put in a man of the match performance in the end, and his goal was the icing on the cake. The player had the most chances created in the game, the most successful dribbles, and the most passes into the final third. The Frenchman's goal took his tally to 3 in the competition so far.
Steven Ebuela received a red card in the match against RS Berkane and will miss the second leg in Kigali⚽🟥
— vidasports 10🇷🇼💫♥ (@vidaneza10) March 15, 2026
😌😌😌#Vidasports#GOE🙏🏿#CAFCLwithvida pic.twitter.com/lrMIrlanAv
As the second leg approaches this weekend, all eyes will be on Mounir Chouiar and RSB Berkane as they look to further capitalise on their strong finish to the game. Al Hilal will be without their first choice right-back, but they still have a strong side that will look to assert their dominance early once more.
Victory Over Rivals
Espérance defeated Al Ahly 1-0 in Tunisia on Sunday night in one of the biggest continental rivalries in the world. In a game that many would describe as a strategic chess match, Espérance were awarded a penalty in the 73rd minute after VAR intervention. Algerian centre back Mohamed Tougaï wasted no time in putting the ball in the back of the net, and the Tunisian giants managed to hold out for the rest of the game.
This was the penalty awarded to Espérance de Tunis against Al Ahly which was converted by Mohamed Tougai
— Pan-Africa Football (@PanAfricaFooty) March 15, 2026
Was this the right decision by VAR? #TotalEnergiesCAFCL #CAFCL #CAFChampionsLeague
pic.twitter.com/QX4Z3S1g7F
Tougaï was awarded the player of the match award for his efforts, both scoring a goal and keeping a clean sheet against Al Ahly is no small achievement. However, undoubtably so, the Egyptian side were off the pace on Sunday night. The sheer resilience from the backline of Espérance was too much to handle for Al Ahly in the end.
Esperance won 1–0 against Al Ahly in the first leg of the African Champions League in Tunisia, scoring from a penalty. ⚽
— Speedline (@speedlinexx) March 16, 2026
As soon as the final whistle blew, the referee immediately held up a red card, warning everyone not to come near him 😅💀
pic.twitter.com/MUbvbCCSFP
Former Aston Villa and Trabzonspor attacker Trézéguet has been a standout player in the CAF Champions League this season for Al Ahly, but he was left isolated and frustrated in this match. As always is the case in this fierce rivalry, controversy ensued both on and off the pitch, with many feeling the officiating was harsh or biased. Nonetheless, this result sets us up for a blockbuster second leg.
Who Were The Best Performers Of The Weekend?
highest rated players in the Quarterfinals 1st leg of the CAF Champions League.
— Sundowns Xtra (@SundownsXtra_) March 16, 2026
Grant Kekana, Brayan Leon Muniz, Nuno Santos and Khuliso Mudau all featured.
The Brazilians are on a different level pic.twitter.com/f578JCF6S2
The team of the week was heavily dominated by Mamelodi Sundowns players owing to their convincing victory. The midfield is spearheaded by the stars who provided the decisive moments for their teams, and the backline celebrates the defensive resilience that was on display in the multiple fixtures.
As we approach the second legs, three out of the four ties have everything to play for. Al Ahly will be seeking revenge, Rabat will look to resemble the Atlas Lions, and RSB Berkane will hope to rely on the brilliance of Chouiar once more.
Brace yourselves, we're in for a thrilling conclusion to the quarter-finals.
Harry Pascoe 
Joe Ryan 
