Al Ahly, Sundowns qualify for CAF Champions League semis
Sundowns dominated proceedings and had the best opportunities to score twice through Brazilian forward Lucas Ribeiro
Egyptian Giants Al Ahly and South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns confirmed their places in the CAF Champions League semifinals with contrasting results on Tuesday night as the business end of the competition sets in.
Results Tuesday
Esperance 0-0 Mamelodi Sundowns: Sundowns qualify 0-1 on aggregate.
Al Ahly 1-0 Al Hilal: Al Ahly qualify 2-0 on aggregate.
AS FAR 2-0 Pyramids FC: Pyramids qualify 3-4 on aggregate.
Wednesday fixture
19.00: Orlando Pirates V MC Alger (1-0 to Pirates on aggregate)
In Tunisia, Sundowns dominated proceedings and had the best opportunities to score twice through Brazilian forward Lucas Ribeiro, who was denied by excellent goalkeeping from Bechir Al Said in the Esperance goal.
Marcelo Allende also hit the woodwork as the visitors threatened to no avail.
In the second half, the home side thought they were level when Achref Jabri found the back of the net, but it was ruled out via VAR, leaving the home side exasperated.
Despite some last-minute pressure, Sundowns held on to quality for the last four where they will take on Al Ahly who beat Sudanese side Al Hilal 1-0 in Nouakchot, Mauritania, thanks to a strike by Emam Bashir in the 80th minute.
With Al Ahly winning the first leg match 1-0 at home last week, they took an untouchable 2-0 aggregate win to see them through to the last four.
In Morocco, AS FAR managed an impressive 2-0 win at home to Egyptian outfit Pyramids FC, thanks to goals from Youssef El Fahli and Joel Beya.
A 4-1 loss in the first leg, though was their undoing, as the Egyptians held on to make the last four for the first time in their history.
They will take on the winner of Wednesday's quarter-final between Orlando Pirates and MC Alger in Johannesburg.
Pirates lead 1-0 on aggregate following an away win last week.