By McGeorge Mbare
Excitement is building as the last as eight teams in the CAF Champions league were confirmed over the weekend with South Africa and Egypt featuring two teams each.
The qualified teams are South Africa ‘s Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns, Egypt ‘s Pyramid FC and Al Ahly SC, Algeria ‘s MC Alger, Morocco‘s AS Far, Sudan ‘s Al Hilal and Tunisia club Esperance Sportive de Tunis.
Al Ahly are the defending champions of the CAF Champions league and also the most successful club in the tournament with 12 champions league titles.
Elsewhere, the CAF Confederation quarter finalist teams list includes Simba SC (Tanzania), RS Berkane (Morocco), USM Alger and Cs Constantine (Algeria), Zamalek SC and Al Masry SC(Egypt), ASEC Mimosas (ivory cost) and Stellenbosch FC from South Africa.
The shocking element to the champions league this year is the absence of DR Congo giant’s TP Mazembe which failed to make it into the final eight teams. TP Mazembe is one of the notable giant in this competition having won it in 2009, 2010, and 2015, Semifinalist in 2002,2012, 2014, 19, 23 2024 and quarter finalist in 2018 and 2019-20.
The eight teams from CAF Champions league and eight from the Confederation cup are still waiting for the quarter finals draw that will confirm their opponents.