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Among the highly anticipated matches are the showdowns between Tanzanian football giants Simba AC and Yanga, in their respective competitions.
As the journey to the final of Africa's top club competitions, the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League and TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup, reaches a suspenseful phase, all eyes are on the quarter-final fixtures set to take place this weekend.
Among the highly anticipated matches are the showdowns between Tanzanian football giants Simba AC and Yanga, in their respective competitions.
In the Champions League, Simba who are attempting to reach the semi final of the tournament for the first time under the competition’s new format face defending champions Wydad Casablanca.
Simba’s build up to the game included a derby victory over Yanga, and will be looking to capitalize on their home advantage and continue their impressive run in the competition.
On the other hand, Wydad will bring their wealth of experience as they aim at defending their title and progress to the semi-finals.
The Reds of Msimbazi, progressed from group C that included Uganda’s Vipers SC and have already faced opposition from Morocco having played against Wydad’s rivals Raja Casablanca.
The first leg of the clash will be played at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on Saturday, with the meeting between these two giants expected to bring Dar-es-Salaam to a standstill.
Quarter final action kicks off on Friday evening with a clash between four-time champions ES Tunis of Tunisia and JS Kabylie of Algeria, who are aiming for their third Champions League title.
Denis Onyango’s Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa, considered one of the favorites in the competition, will be taking on CR Belouizdad of Algeria, who are seeking to advance beyond the quarter-final stage for the first time.
Meanwhile, Al Ahly of Egypt, the competition record holders, will be welcoming Raja CA of Morocco, who are hungry for their first TotalEnergies CAF Champions League title since 1999.
Over in the CAF Confederation Cup, Khalid Aucho’s Yanga, will be making their quarter-final debut against Rivers United, the reigning Nigerian Premier League champions.
Yanga still has an axe to grind against Rivers who eliminated them at the second round of qualification last season.
They will look to make their mark in the first leg of their quarter-final encounter when they travel to the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Sunday for the first leg.
It will be an exciting clash between two teams with a rich footballing history, as Rivers United aim to showcase their continental ambitions against the determined Yanga side.
In another intriguing encounter, Pyramids FC of Egypt will face Ismail Watenga’s Marumo Gallants of South Africa in a north-versus-south battle.
Gallants and Watenga have made an impression already on their debut in the competition, going against all odds to top their group.
Tunisia's US Monastir, who are celebrating their 100-year milestone, face ASEC Mimosas of Ivory Coast, who are determined to reclaim their position in African club football.
Additionally, Algeria's USM Algiers will take on FAR Rabat of Morocco in a marquee north African tie, with both teams eyeing a spot in the semi-finals.
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