The sixteen teams set to feature in the knock-out rounds (Quarter Finals) of the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup were confirmed over the weekend after Match Day Six across all groups concluded.The headline acts in the separate competitions are former champions seeking to extend cup glories, and with it, names of teams looking at making a name for themselves for the first time on the continent.CAF Champions LeagueFive former champions are among the sides that secured their places in the quarter-finals while two teams from Tanzania – Simba and Young Africans – will play in the last eight.Of the eight teams that have officially booked their places, three are yet to taste continental success, with Al Ahly (11), TP Mazembe (5), Esperance (4), Asec Mimosas (1) and Mamelodi Sundowns (1), all having previously lifted Africa’s most coveted club football trophy.Defending champions and Egyptian giants Al Ahly remain on course for their title defense after a 1-0 home victory over Young Africans on Friday to finish top of Group D with 12 points.The Tanzanians clinched second place in the group despite losing the game in Cairo even though Belouizdad defeated Medeama 3-0 in the group’s other match.Sundowns secured Group A’s top spot with 13 points after defeating TP Mazembe 1-0 in Pretoria on Saturday but the visiting side also advanced after finishing second with ten points.CAFCL: Sundowns, Simba register vital wins to book quarter final spotsIvorian side ASEC Mimosas topped Group B with 11 points despite losing away to former champions Wydad Casablanca, who crashed out following Simba’s heavy 6-0 win over Jwaneng Galaxy in the group’s other game on Saturday.Simba were equal on nine points with Wydad but advanced thanks to their better record.Angola’s Petro de Luanda and Tunisia’s Esperance qualified for the quarter-finals from Group C following their victories on Saturday.Petro de Luanda finished top of the group with 12 points after their 2-0 win over Etoile du Sahel while Esperance’s 1-0 victory over Al Hilal helped them to secure second place with 11 points.##NAJAVA_MECA_7927170##CAF Confederation CupThis season’s quarter-finalists include four clubs that have lifted the title in recent years, which are current holders, USM Alger (2022/23), Stade de Malien (2008/09), RS Berkane (2019/20, 2021/22,) as well as Zamalek (2018/19).Making up the final list of quarter-finalists after Sunday’s fixtures are Nigeria’s Rivers United, Dreams FC of Ghana, Abu Salem of Libya as well as Egyptian side, Modern Future who will be looking at following in the path of other Egyptian giants who have stamped their authority on the continent.The #TotalEnergiesCAFCC teams are down to 8. Which side bags the title? 👀 pic.twitter.com/FwgMo3FPYC— TotalEnergiesCAFCL & TotalEnergiesCAFCC 🏆 (@CAFCLCC) March 3, 2024 While the quarter-finals boast four former champions, the quartet of Rivers United, Dreams FC, Abu Salem and Modern Future, who have all been exceptional in the competition, will be looking at making a name for themselves on the continent.Last season’s winners of the competition, USM Alger further went on to lift the CAF Super Cup in a thrilling encounter against record CAF Champions League holders, Al Ahly.Additional reporting by CAF Online
