Draw done: Pirates, Sundowns learn Caf quarterfinal opponents

Mamelodi Sundowns will meet Esperance de Tunis of Tunisia and Orlando Pirates were drawn to clash against MC Alger of Algeria in the 2024-25 Caf Champions League quarterfinals.

The draw, held in Doha, Qatar, on Thursday, pitted Downs coach Miguel Cardoso against his old team. The Portuguese steered Esperance to last season's final, where they lost 1-0 against Egyptian giants Al Ahly.

The draw also meant Sundowns and Pirates can only meet in the final. Bucs will meet the winners of Egypt's Pyramids FC against AS FAR Rabat of Morocco if they reach the semifinals. Sundowns would meet the winners of the quarter between Al Ahly and Sudan's Al Hilal. 

Sundowns, who finished second in their group, have arguably the tougher draw of the two South African quarterfinalists.

Esperance finished top of group D on 13 points on goal difference on their head to head matches from second-placed Egyptian side Pyramids FC (also 13).

The Tunisian club have won their league 33 times and the Champions League on four occasions, most recently in 2018 and 2019.

Bucs' opponents MC Alger finished second in group A on nine points to Al Hilal of Sudan (10). They have won the Algerian league eight times and the Champions League once, way back in 1976.

Pirates and Sundowns had differing group campaigns in 2024-25.

The Buccaneers, making their first appearance in the group stage since 2018-19, went unbeaten and made their first progression past the round robin phase since reaching the 2013 Champions League final.

In just their second group stage since 2013, coach Jose Riveiro's Bucs ended top of group C with 14 points, above Al Ahly (10), Algeria's CR Belouizdad (nine) and Stade d'Abidjan of Ivory Coast (one).

Pirates won the tournament — then called the African Cup of Champions Clubs — in 1995.

Sundowns, the 2016 Champions League winners and perennial group and knockout stage competitors since then, had a tougher time in group B, where an opening draw against minnows AS Maniema Union of Democratic Republic of the Congo put the Brazilians under pressure.

Starting the group under Manqoba Mngqithi and ending under Cardoso, who arrived to take charge of the club in December, Sundowns placed second on nine points, a point behind AS FAR Rabat of Morocco, and above Raja Casablanca (eight), also of Morocco, and Union (three).

Cardoso said all three teams Sundowns could have drawn “were very strong”.

“I didn't want to pick Pirates because that is much more beautiful for the competition to have a national game played internationally. So basically, they were two teams, Esperance and Al Hilal [Downs could not draw FAR, who were in their group].

“I think we got a strong team, but we're also a very strong team. Ahead of us is a very nice quarterfinal. I hope we can arrive in the best shape and have the best players available.”

Cardoso noted changes to Esperance since he left, with the North African club making a few acquisitions in January.

“I didn't watch much of their games regarding how they play [since leaving], but I have been following their results. I know they're doing well and are first on the [Tunisian] log and qualified for [Champions League] quarterfinals.

“They will be strong and it's a team with experience — they have been reaching the last stages of the Champions League and have won it several times.

“But I think we should worry about ourselves, worry that we can go into the two [legs] and make good games and get the result we want. Obviously our aim is to approach the games in the right way and I believe that we can do a very nice quarterfinal, for sure.”

In the Caf Confederation Cup, Stellenbosch FC were drawn to meet Egyptian giants Zamalek in their quarterfinal.

2024-25 Caf Champions League quarterfinal draw

Al Ahly (Egypt) v Al Hilal (Sudan)

Pyramids FC (Egypt) v AS FAR Rabat (Morocco)

Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa) v Esperance de Tunis (Tunisia)

MC Alger (Algeria) v Orlando Pirates (South Africa)