The 2025/26 CAF Champions League is entering its most exciting stage following the conclusion of the group phase. Starting Friday, March 13, 2026, the eight best teams in Africa will begin competing in the quarter-final first-leg matches, a stage that will determine who continues the journey toward winning the continent’s biggest club trophy.
This stage brings together some of the biggest and most historic clubs in African football, with each team aiming to secure a strong result before the return legs scheduled for March 21 and March 22, 2026.
Matches Starting Today – Friday (March 13, 2026)
Mamelodi Sundowns vs Stade Malien
The first quarter-final match will be played in South Africa where Mamelodi Sundowns will host Stade Malien from Mali.
Sundowns are one of the most experienced teams in the CAF Champions League and usually have a strong record when playing at home. On the other hand, Stade Malien have shown great resilience since the group stage and will enter the match hoping to secure at least an important away draw.
The match is expected to kick off at 9:00 PM and could be crucial for Sundowns to build an advantage before the return leg in Mali.
AS FAR vs Pyramids FC
Later in the evening, African football fans will witness another intense clash between AS FAR of Morocco and Pyramids FC of Egypt.
Pyramids FC enter this stage as the defending champions after winning the title last season, which brings both pressure and valuable experience in major competitions.
For AS FAR, playing at home in Rabat gives them the opportunity to use the support of their fans to secure a win before traveling to Egypt for the return match.
The match is scheduled to begin at 1:00 AM.
Other Quarter-Final Matches This Weekend
After Friday’s matches, the quarter-finals will continue over the weekend with more big fixtures:
RS Berkane vs Al Hilal – March 14, 2026
Esperance vs Al Ahly – March 15, 2026
The clash between Esperance of Tunisia and Al Ahly of Egypt is expected to be one of the biggest matches of this stage due to the rich history of both clubs in African football.
