CAF Champions League enters quarter final stage on Tuesday

Fans of African football will be in for a treat starting tonight as Africa’s heavyweight football clubs battle it out in the CAF Champions League as the quarterfinals get underway with first-leg matches across the continent tonight.

Tuesday evening's offering brings two games live from Cairo and Algiers.

In the Egyptian capital city, reigning Champions Al Ahly will tackle Sudan’s Al Hilal at the Cairo International Stadium, and at the same time at the 30 June Stadium, Pyramids FC host Morocco’s Armed Forces, ASFAR.

Al Hilal’s success in the Champions League this season has been amazing, considering the fact that there is an ongoing civil war in Sudan and the fact that they operate away from home.

Hilal are currently playing their ‘domestic’ football in Mauritania.

“We thought we shouldn't mix the field and what's going on outside. Once on the field, you have to give 200 per cent. That's what we do: we work hard, really hard,” Hilal's Congolese coach, Florent Obenge, told CAF Online.

In Algiers, MC Alger will take on South African visitors Orlando Pirates.

The travelling Pirates should be regarded as overall favourites for the tie, according to former coach Roger De Sa who took them to the 2013 Champions League final.

“Pirates have a chance. I don't think Algerian football is at its best at the moment," De Sa told Supersport.

“I believe this is a favourable draw for the Pirates. It’s a realistic situation, especially since they are playing away first. They can approach the match cautiously, play their game, and return with the result that they can defend at home."

Quarterfinals, first leg local time

Tuesday 1 April

22:00: Al Ahly v Al Hilal

22:00: MC Alger v Orlando Pirates

22:00: Pyramids FC v ASFAR